[Bioinformatics](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/biomathematics-bioinformatics-computational-biology/bioinformatics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools to find the best return on investment for bioinformatics students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in bioinformatics, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in bioinformatics, no school beat Harvard University this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for bioinformatics graduates is $16,616. Soon after graduation, bioinformatics degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Boston University earned it the #2 place for bioinformatics. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Typical student debt for bioinformatics graduates is $25,232. Soon after graduation, bioinformatics degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $83,663. Set against $25,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Northeastern University one of the best values for bioinformatics. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $66,162. Students borrow a median of $25,611 to complete the bioinformatics program here. Soon after graduation, bioinformatics degree recipients from Northeastern University generally make around $86,430. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brandeis University earned it the #4 place for bioinformatics. Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waltham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,080. Students borrow a median of $25,653 to complete the bioinformatics program here. Early-career bioinformatics graduates make about $47,783. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Narrow Bioinformatics Schools by State
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
