[Bioinformatics](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/biomathematics-bioinformatics-computational-biology/bioinformatics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 43 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for bioinformatics students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in bioinformatics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus tops our 2027 list of the best value bioinformatics schools in the United States. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Bioinformatics graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Soon after graduation, bioinformatics degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a great value for students pursuing a degree in bioinformatics, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Los Angeles earned it the #3 place for bioinformatics. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical student debt for bioinformatics graduates is $16,097. Bioinformatics graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $63,833 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,097 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Chicago earned it the #4 place for bioinformatics. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for bioinformatics graduates is $20,115. Bioinformatics graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $61,829 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,115 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in bioinformatics will find it at University Of California San Diego, which ranked #5. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #6 spot for bioinformatics value this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for bioinformatics graduates is $19,137. Soon after graduation, bioinformatics degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $71,336. That is a strong return on a $19,137 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Kansas City placed #7 among the best values for bioinformatics. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Students borrow a median of $23,741 to complete the bioinformatics program here. Early-career bioinformatics graduates make about $60,324. Set against $23,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #8 position for value in bioinformatics this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Chicago landed the #9 spot for bioinformatics value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the bioinformatics program here. Soon after graduation, bioinformatics degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $99,193. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #10 position for value in bioinformatics this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Bioinformatics graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. Early-career bioinformatics graduates make about $48,335. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #11 among the best values for bioinformatics. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Typical student debt for bioinformatics graduates is $23,146. Early-career bioinformatics graduates make about $56,930. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
San Diego State University placed #12 among the best values for bioinformatics. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,417 to complete the bioinformatics program here. Soon after graduation, bioinformatics degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $51,162. That is a strong return on a $16,417 median debt. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Vanderbilt University earned the #13 position for value in bioinformatics this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Bioinformatics graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Soon after graduation, bioinformatics degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Arizona State University placed #14 among the best values for bioinformatics. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete the bioinformatics program here. Early-career bioinformatics graduates make about $88,036. Set against $21,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #15 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, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete the bioinformatics program here. Soon after graduation, bioinformatics degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $87,769. Set against $21,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #16 among the best values for bioinformatics. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Bioinformatics graduates carry a median of $24,673 in student loans. Soon after graduation, bioinformatics degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $51,799. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Delaware landed the #17 spot for bioinformatics value this year. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Students borrow a median of $24,861 to complete the bioinformatics program here. Bioinformatics graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $54,155 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Grand Valley State University came in at #18 for value in bioinformatics this year. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Students borrow a median of $26,378 to complete the bioinformatics program here. Bioinformatics graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $74,986 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,378 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Dallas placed #19 among the best values for bioinformatics. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,644, with out-of-state students paying around $40,144. Bioinformatics graduates carry a median of $20,531 in student loans. Bioinformatics graduates of The University Of Texas At Dallas earn a median of $58,507 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,531 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
George Mason University earned the #20 position for value in bioinformatics this year. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Johns Hopkins University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value bioinformatics schools. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the bioinformatics program here. Soon after graduation, bioinformatics degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $84,850. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Cruz placed #22 among the best values for bioinformatics. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,035 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,923. 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.
Harvard University landed the #23 spot for bioinformatics value this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. 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. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #24 for value in bioinformatics this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Bioinformatics graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Soon after graduation, bioinformatics degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $100,512. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Washington University In St Louis ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value bioinformatics schools. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,790. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete the bioinformatics program here. Bioinformatics graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $68,303 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in bioinformatics:
Explore the best-value bioinformatics schools at other degree levels:
View All Bioinformatics Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 43 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 43 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.
