by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Bioinformatics involves the study of Bioinformatics. A Program That Focuses On The Application Of Computer-Based Technologies And Services To Biological, Biomedical, And Biotechnology Research. Includes Instruction In Algorithms, Network Architecture, Principles Of Software Design, Human Interface Design, Usability Studies, Search Strategies, Database Management And Data Mining, Digital Image Processing, Computer Graphics And Animation, Cad, Computer Programming, And Applications To Experimental Design And Analysis And To Specific Quantitative, Modeling, And Analytical Studies In The Various Biological Specializations. Continue reading for the important information every bioinformatics major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering bioinformatics programs.
In the U.S., bioinformatics draws strong interest, with 1,336 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Bioinformatics Schools ranking analyzes these 97 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.
Coursework for Bioinformatics develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations bioinformatics graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a bioinformatics program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a bioinformatics major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several bioinformatics 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 364 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 802 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 169 |
People currently working in careers related to bioinformatics tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 50.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 13.5% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 11.0% |
| Master’s degree | 9.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 5.6% |
| Some college courses | 4.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.5% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 0.8% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.2% |
| First professional degree | 0.1% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in bioinformatics careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in bioinformatics prepares you for many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to bioinformatics.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to bioinformatics.
| 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% |
| Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians | 530,023 | -1.9% |
| Web Administrators | 510,685 | 0.7% |
| Data Scientists | 507,848 | 8.1% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of bioinformatics 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 bioinformatics graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers bioinformatics grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Information Technology Project Managers | $124,655 |
| Blockchain Engineers | $123,667 |
| Digital Forensics Analysts | $119,226 |
With 97 different bioinformatics programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased bioinformatics school rankings to help you.
Students interested in bioinformatics, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Biostatistics | 1,546 |
| Computational Biology | 321 |
| Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology, Other | 250 |
| Biometry/Biometrics | 185 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
