by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, bioinformatics was the 397th most popular major nationwide with 1,156 degrees awarded. This represents a 4.8% increase in bioinformatics degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 1,100.
Our 2023 Best Bioinformatics Schools ranking analyzes 76 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for bioinformatics students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of bioinformatics programs later in this article.
Bioinformatics majors are found most commonly in careers in which using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems is important. Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one and identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions are all required skills for careers related to this major.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most bioinformatics degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Once you obtain your degree, additional bioinformatics certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
Bioinformatics degree levels vary. You can spend many years getting as high as a in bioinformatics to something that takes less time like a . The time it takes to complete a bioinformatics degree varies depending on the program.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to bioinformatics, with approximately 63.1% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for bioinformatics workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 66.2% |
| Master’s Degree | 17.1% |
| Doctoral Degree | 6.0% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 3.2% |
| Some College Courses | 2.5% |
About 91.4% of workers in careers related to bioinformatics obtain at least bachelor's degrees. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in bioinformatics have received.
This of course varies depending on which bioinformatics career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your bioinformatics degree? Bioinformatics careers are expected to grow 25.1% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to bioinformatics.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Software Applications Developers | 1,086,600 | 30.7% |
| Computer Workers | 313,800 | 9.3% |
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | 33,200 | 19.0% |
As you might expect, salaries for bioinformatics graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for bioinformatics graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers bioinformatics grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | $123,850 |
| Software Applications Developers | $108,080 |
| Computer Workers | $93,350 |
With over 193 different bioinformatics degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased bioinformatics school rankings to help you with this.
One of 4 majors within the Biomathematics & Bioinformatics area of study, Bioinformatics has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Biostatistics | 1,275 |
| Computational Biology | 209 |
| Biomathematics | 169 |
| Biometry/Biometrics | 148 |
