Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in bioinformatics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, our #1 best value for bioinformatics in the United States. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Bioinformatics graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Bioinformatics graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $61,361 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value bioinformatics schools. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete the bioinformatics program here. Soon after graduation, bioinformatics degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. Set against $24,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 14%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in bioinformatics, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for bioinformatics graduates is $20,115. Early-career bioinformatics graduates make about $61,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Los Angeles earned it the #4 place for bioinformatics. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Bioinformatics graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. Bioinformatics graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $63,833 early in their careers. Set against $16,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of California San Diego is a great value for students pursuing a degree in bioinformatics, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Typical student debt for bioinformatics graduates is $19,724. Soon after graduation, bioinformatics degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $60,797. That is a strong return on a $19,724 median debt. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #6 spot for bioinformatics value this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Bioinformatics graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Soon after graduation, bioinformatics degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $52,885. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Kansas City placed #7 among the best values for bioinformatics. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Typical student debt for bioinformatics graduates is $23,741. Bioinformatics graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $60,324 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,741 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #8 position for value in bioinformatics this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,146 to complete the bioinformatics program here. Bioinformatics graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $56,930 early in their careers. Set against $23,146 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
Arizona State University came in at #9 for value in bioinformatics this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete the bioinformatics program here. Early-career bioinformatics graduates make about $88,036. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #10 among the best values for bioinformatics. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete the bioinformatics program here. Early-career bioinformatics graduates make about $71,336. Set against $19,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Harvard University came in at #11 for value in bioinformatics this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Typical student debt for bioinformatics graduates is $16,616. Early-career bioinformatics graduates make about $95,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
San Diego State University came in at #12 for value in bioinformatics this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Typical student debt for bioinformatics graduates is $16,417. Bioinformatics graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $51,162 early in their careers. Set against $16,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 36%.
University Of Delaware placed #13 among the best values for bioinformatics. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for bioinformatics graduates is $24,861. Soon after graduation, bioinformatics degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $54,155. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Cruz landed the #14 spot for bioinformatics value this year. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,035, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for bioinformatics graduates is $18,559. Soon after graduation, bioinformatics degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $40,920. That is a strong return on a $18,559 median debt. University Of California Santa Cruz admits about 66% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #15 spot for bioinformatics value this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical student debt for bioinformatics graduates is $21,813. Early-career bioinformatics graduates make about $59,877. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte landed the #16 spot for bioinformatics value this year. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,673 to complete the bioinformatics program here. Soon after graduation, bioinformatics degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $51,799. Set against $24,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Dallas ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value bioinformatics schools. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,644, while out-of-state students pay about $40,144. Students borrow a median of $20,531 to complete the bioinformatics program here. Early-career bioinformatics graduates make about $58,507. Set against $20,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Johns Hopkins University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value bioinformatics schools. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Bioinformatics graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Soon after graduation, bioinformatics degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $84,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #19 position for value in bioinformatics this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Bioinformatics graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Soon after graduation, bioinformatics degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $87,769. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Vanderbilt University placed #20 among the best values for bioinformatics. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Typical student debt for bioinformatics graduates is $13,975. Early-career bioinformatics graduates make about $77,997. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Valley State University placed #21 among the best values for bioinformatics. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,378 to complete the bioinformatics program here. Soon after graduation, bioinformatics degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $74,986. That is a strong return on a $26,378 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Chicago landed the #22 spot for bioinformatics value this year. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the bioinformatics program here. Early-career bioinformatics graduates make about $99,193. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
George Mason University landed the #23 spot for bioinformatics value this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the bioinformatics program here. Bioinformatics graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $63,131 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #24 position for value in bioinformatics this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for bioinformatics graduates is $23,258. Soon after graduation, bioinformatics degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $100,512. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #25 spot for bioinformatics value this year. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. In-state tuition and fees average $16,720, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the bioinformatics program here. Early-career bioinformatics graduates make about $57,000. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s bioinformatics value ranking:
Explore the best-value bioinformatics schools at other degree levels:
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 131 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[Bioinformatics](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/biomathematics-bioinformatics-computational-biology/bioinformatics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong bioinformatics education at a price that pays off.
