[Bioinformatics](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/biomathematics-bioinformatics-computational-biology/bioinformatics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 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.
Leading the list is University Of Missouri Kansas City, our #1 best value for bioinformatics in the The Plains States Region. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for bioinformatics graduates is $23,741. Soon after graduation, bioinformatics degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $60,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value bioinformatics schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, 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. That is a strong return on a $21,577 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Iowa is a great value for students pursuing a degree in bioinformatics, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Students borrow a median of $24,463 to complete the bioinformatics program here. Soon after graduation, bioinformatics degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $57,375. Set against $24,463 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Washington University In St Louis earned it the #4 place for bioinformatics. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for bioinformatics graduates is $17,553. Bioinformatics graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $68,303 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,553 median debt. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.
Saint Louis University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value bioinformatics schools. Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Louis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,760. Bioinformatics graduates carry a median of $26,586 in student loans. Soon after graduation, bioinformatics degree recipients from Saint Louis University Main Campus generally make around $65,599. Set against $26,586 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Louis University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
