by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Computational Biology involves the study of Computational Biology. A Program That Focuses On Computational Theoretical Approaches To Understanding Biological Systems, Including Computational Models Of Biological Processes, Computational Management Of Large-Scale Projects, Database Development And Data-Algorithm Development, And High-Performance Computing, As Well As Statistical And Mathematical Analyses. Examples: [Computational And Systems Biology]. Continue reading for the key facts every computational biology student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering computational biology programs.
In the U.S., computational biology is a popular field of study, with 321 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Computational Biology Schools ranking analyzes these 26 schools to determine the best overall colleges for computational biology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of computational biology programs later in this article.
Coursework for Computational Biology emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations computational biology graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a computational biology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a computational biology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several computational biology degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 135 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 92 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 94 |
People currently working in careers related to computational biology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 46.1% |
| Master’s degree | 13.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 9.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 8.5% |
| Post-doctoral training | 5.4% |
| Doctoral degree | 4.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 4.2% |
| Some college courses | 3.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.2% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.6% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in computational biology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in computational biology opens doors to numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to computational biology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to computational biology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Business Intelligence Analysts | 585,851 | 1.3% |
| Computer Systems Engineers/Architects | 576,059 | -1.9% |
| Information Security Engineers | 575,902 | -3.8% |
| Blockchain Engineers | 556,747 | 5.1% |
| Information Technology Project Managers | 543,383 | -3.4% |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians | 530,023 | -1.9% |
| Web Administrators | 510,685 | 0.7% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of computational biology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $82,809 |
| 4 years | $104,458 |
| 5 years | $123,442 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for computational biology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers computational biology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $159,837 |
| Document Management Specialists | $147,490 |
| Business Intelligence Analysts | $143,840 |
| Information Security Engineers | $142,543 |
| Computer Systems Engineers/Architects | $140,795 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Information Technology Project Managers | $124,655 |
With 26 different computational biology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased computational biology school rankings to help you.
Those considering computational biology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Biostatistics | 1,546 |
| Bioinformatics | 1,336 |
| Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology, Other | 250 |
| Biometry/Biometrics | 185 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
