Best institutions to study 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.
90 U.S. institutions graduated 1,666 Biostatistics students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 26.1102, a specialization of Biomathematics (CIP 26.11), and leads most directly to the Biological Technicians occupation (BLS SOC 19-4021).
About Biostatistics programs
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.
See also: 27.0501 - Statistics, General.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Biostatistics program, a branch of Biomathematics, focuses on applying descriptive and inferential statistics to various biomedical research fields. It is designed for students interested in addressing clinical, public health, and industrial issues related to human populations through statistical methods. This program is ideal for those who want to contribute to advancements in healthcare and biological research.
Students in the Biostatistics program will gain expertise in mathematical statistics, clinical trials methodology, and disease analysis. Coursework typically includes training in longitudinal analysis, spatial analysis, and biostatistics consulting, equipping graduates with the skills necessary to tackle complex biological and biomedical challenges.
Credentials awarded
What Biostatistics graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree1,201 graduates / yr · 77 institutions72%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship285 graduates / yr · 54 institutions17%
- Bachelor's degree62 graduates / yr · 7 institutions3.7%
- Post-master's certificate61 graduates / yr · 3 institutions3.7%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate54 graduates / yr · 6 institutions3.2%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year3 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.2%
Graduates over time
Biostatistics completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 600 |
| 2013 | 663 |
| 2014 | 709 |
| 2015 | 897 |
| 2016 | 920 |
| 2017 | 957 |
| 2018 | 1,028 |
| 2019 | 1,048 |
| 2020 | 1,232 |
| 2021 | 1,265 |
| 2022 | 1,327 |
| 2023 | 1,573 |
| 2024 | 1,513 |
| 2025 | 1,666 |
Top 50 institutions for Biostatistics, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster'sDoctoral | 196 | 96% | $15,315 | — |
| 2 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicMaster'sDoctoralMaster's | 109 | 93% | — | — |
| 3 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NCPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 92 | 91% | — | — |
| 4 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 88 | 93% | — | — |
| 5 | New York University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 85 | 88% | $29,023 | — |
| 6 | Emory University Atlanta, GAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 76 | 91% | $20,586 | — |
| 7 | Boston University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 62 | 89% | $21,956 | — |
| 8 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 57 | 98% | $15,013 | — |
| 9 | Duke University Durham, NCPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 52 | 97% | $16,260 | — |
| 10 | Weill Medical College of Cornell University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 41 | — | — | — |
| 11 | University of Louisville Louisville, KYPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 39 | 61% | — | — |
| 12 | Yale University New Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 35 | 96% | $27,025 | — |
| 13 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 35 | 85% | — | — |
| 14 | University of California - San Diego La Jolla, CAPublicMaster'sDoctoralBachelor's | 32 | 86% | — | $76,592 |
| 15 | University of Kansas Lawrence, KSPublicMaster'sDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 31 | 69% | — | — |
| 16 | University of Iowa Iowa City, IAPublicMaster'sMaster'sDoctoral | 29 | 75% | — | — |
| 17 | The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Houston, TXPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 29 | — | — | — |
| 18 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 24 | 85% | — | — |
| 19 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Denver, COPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 23 | 46% | — | — |
| 20 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 23 | 94% | $11,888 | — |
| 21 | Brown University Providence, RIPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 23 | 96% | $14,644 | — |
| 22 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 20 | 97% | $22,055 | — |
| 23 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 19 | 92% | $26,873 | — |
| 24 | University of Florida Gainesville, FLPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 18 | 91% | — | — |
| 25 | University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CAPublicDoctoralMaster's | 17 | 93% | — | — |
| 26 | George Washington University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 17 | 84% | $29,789 | — |
| 27 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 17 | 85% | — | — |
| 28 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KYPublicPost-degree cert.Master's | 16 | 71% | — | — |
| 29 | Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, LAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 16 | 86% | $33,106 | — |
| 30 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJPublicMaster's | 14 | 84% | — | — |
| 31 | University at Buffalo Buffalo, NYPublicDoctoralMaster's | 14 | 75% | — | — |
| 32 | Oregon Health & Science University Portland, ORPublicMaster's | 14 | — | — | — |
| 33 | Washington University in St Louis St. Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 13 | 94% | $14,126 | — |
| 34 | Temple University Philadelphia, PAPublicMaster's | 13 | 75% | — | — |
| 35 | Vanderbilt University Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 12 | 94% | $14,854 | — |
| 36 | University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences San Juan, PRPublicMaster's | 12 | — | — | — |
| 37 | Georgetown University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 11 | 95% | $22,242 | — |
| 38 | University of Miami Coral Gables, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 11 | 84% | $26,589 | — |
| 39 | University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NEPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 11 | — | — | — |
| 40 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FLPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 10 | 86% | — | — |
| 41 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, ILPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 10 | 62% | — | — |
| 42 | Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MIPublicPost-degree cert. | 10 | 58% | — | — |
| 43 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 10 | 88% | — | — |
| 44 | East Tennessee State University Johnson City, TNPublicPost-degree cert. | 9 | 53% | — | — |
| 45 | University of Mississippi University, MSPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 8 | 72% | — | — |
| 46 | Saint Louis University Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 8 | 80% | $24,886 | — |
| 47 | University of Oklahoma - Health Sciences Center Oklahoma City, OKPublicDoctoralMaster's | 8 | — | — | — |
| 48 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicDoctoralMaster's | 6 | 68% | — | — |
| 49 | University of California - Davis Davis, CAPublicDoctoralMaster's | 6 | 86% | — | — |
| 50 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicDoctoralMaster's | 6 | 90% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Biomathematics field (CIP 26.11) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 42 states & territories
Where Biostatistics graduates come from. Each state links to all Biomathematics programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-4021, Biological Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Biostatistics program can pursue careers as Biological Technicians, Health Specialties Teachers, and Medical Scientists, among others. The job outlook for related occupations is about as fast as average, with an annual growth rate of 3.5% and approximately 9,100 annual openings. The median wage for these positions is around $52,000, typically requiring at least a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 26.1102
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Biological Techniciansprimary SOC 19-4021 | $57,510 | +3.5% About as fast as average | ~9,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1071 | $107,310 | +17.3% Much faster than average | ~27,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists SOC 19-1042 | $103,410 | +8.7% Much faster than average | ~9,600 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Natural Sciences Managers SOC 11-9121 | $167,220 | +3.7% About as fast as average | ~8,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Biological Scientists, All Other SOC 19-1029 | $98,920 | +1.2% Little or no change | ~4,800 | Bachelor's degree |
Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1022 | $79,940 | +2.3% About as fast as average | ~4,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Statisticians SOC 15-2041 | $105,650 | +8.5% Much faster than average | ~2,000 | Master's degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Biostatistics programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Conduct research, or assist in the conduct of research, including the collection of information and samples, such as blood, water, soil, plants and animals.
- Use computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology industrial applications to perform work duties.
- Monitor and observe experiments, recording production and test data for evaluation by research personnel.
- Analyze experimental data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of findings.
- Provide technical support and services for scientists and engineers working in fields such as agriculture, environmental science, resource management, biology, and health sciences.
- Keep detailed logs of all work-related activities.
Tools and technology used
Other Biomathematics specializations
The 4 other 6-digit CIP codes under Biomathematics (CIP 26.11).
- BioinformaticsCIP 26.11031,606 graduates / yr101 institutions
- Computational BiologyCIP 26.1104399 graduates / yr29 institutions
- Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational BiologyCIP 26.1199308 graduates / yr21 institutions
- Biometry/CIP 26.1101
Biometrics partial data205 graduates / yr8 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in Biostatistics?+
You can earn a Master's degree, Doctor's degree, Bachelor's degree, or a Post-master's certificate.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, and data analysis.
What careers are available with a degree in Biostatistics?+
Careers include Biological Technicians, Medical Scientists, and Health Specialties Teachers.
What is the job outlook for Biostatistics graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 3.5% and 9,100 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Biostatistics?+
Biostatistics is CIP 26.1102 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Biomathematics (CIP 26.11). NCES defines it as: 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.
How many institutions offer Biostatistics programs?+
90 U.S. institutions reported Biostatistics graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 42 states & territories, awarding 1,666 credentials in the year. That is 39.8% of all Biomathematics graduates.
How much do Biostatistics graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Biological Technicians occupation, which Biostatistics most directly leads to, pays a median of $57,510 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Biomathematics field report median earnings of $76,592 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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