by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Biostatistics covers Biostatistics. A Program That Focuses On The Application Of Descriptive And Inferential Statistics To Biomedical Research And Clinical, Public Health, And Industrial Issues Related To Human Populations. Includes Instruction In Mathematical Statistics, Modeling, Clinical Trials Methodology, Disease And Survival Analysis, Longitudinal Analysis, Missing Data Analysis, Spatial Analysis, Computer Tomography, Biostatistics Consulting, And Applications To Such Topics As Genetics, Oncology, Pharmacokinetics, Physiology, Neurobiology, And Biophysics. Read on to learn the important information every biostatistics student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering biostatistics programs.
Across the country, biostatistics is a widely-pursued major, with 1,546 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Biostatistics Schools ranking analyzes these 91 schools to determine the best overall colleges for biostatistics students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of biostatistics programs later in this article.
Coursework for Biostatistics develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations biostatistics graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a biostatistics program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a biostatistics major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several biostatistics 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 | 77 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,207 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 262 |
People currently working in careers related to biostatistics tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 31.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 25.2% |
| Doctoral degree | 16.7% |
| Post-doctoral training | 15.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.5% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.0% |
| Some college courses | 2.0% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.2% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.5% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in biostatistics careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in biostatistics can lead to a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to biostatistics.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to biostatistics.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Statisticians | 307,132 | 6.6% |
| Biological Technicians | 224,048 | 12.8% |
| Geneticists | 183,832 | -1.1% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | 164,357 | 8.7% |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | 125,815 | 8.9% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of biostatistics 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 biostatistics graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers biostatistics grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Statisticians | $130,349 |
| Biostatisticians | $121,594 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $111,314 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Biological Technicians | $100,160 |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | $100,077 |
With 91 different biostatistics programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased biostatistics school rankings to help you.
Students interested in biostatistics, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Bioinformatics | 1,336 |
| Computational Biology | 321 |
| Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology, Other | 250 |
| Biometry/Biometrics | 185 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
