Best institutions to study Computational Biology
A program that focuses on computational theoretical approaches to understanding biological systems, including computational models of biological processes, computational management of large-scale projects, database development and data-algorithm development, and high-performance computing, as well as statistical and mathematical analyses.
29 U.S. institutions graduated 399 Computational Biology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 26.1104, a specialization of Biomathematics (CIP 26.11), and leads most directly to the Biological Technicians occupation (BLS SOC 19-4021).
About Computational Biology programs
A program that focuses on computational theoretical approaches to understanding biological systems, including computational models of biological processes, computational management of large-scale projects, database development and data-algorithm development, and high-performance computing, as well as statistical and mathematical analyses.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Computational Biology program, a specialization within Biomathematics, focuses on the application of computational theories to understand biological systems. This program is ideal for students interested in merging biology with technology, using computational models and data analysis to address complex biological questions.
Students will gain core skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, and scientific analysis. Coursework typically includes subjects such as biology, mathematics, and computer science, equipping graduates with the knowledge necessary for high-performance computing and data management in biological contexts.
Credentials awarded
What Computational Biology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree178 graduates / yr · 14 institutions45%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship117 graduates / yr · 19 institutions29%
- Master's degree97 graduates / yr · 13 institutions24%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate7 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.8%
Graduates over time
Computational Biology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 43 |
| 2013 | 52 |
| 2014 | 80 |
| 2015 | 90 |
| 2016 | 116 |
| 2017 | 119 |
| 2018 | 119 |
| 2019 | 164 |
| 2020 | 170 |
| 2021 | 199 |
| 2022 | 276 |
| 2023 | 311 |
| 2024 | 315 |
| 2025 | 399 |
Top 29 institutions for Computational Biology, 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 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 65 | 85% | — | — |
| 2 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 56 | 92% | $26,873 | — |
| 3 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 39 | 96% | $11,666 | — |
| 4 | Brown University Providence, RIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 33 | 96% | $14,644 | — |
| 5 | Princeton University Princeton, NJPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 26 | 98% | $13,729 | — |
| 6 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 21 | 98% | $15,013 | — |
| 7 | Weill Medical College of Cornell University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 18 | — | — | — |
| 8 | Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 17 | 87% | $27,976 | — |
| 9 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralBachelor'sMaster's | 16 | 94% | $23,803 | — |
| 10 | Rutgers University - Camden Camden, NJPublicMaster'sDoctoralBachelor's | 14 | 67% | — | — |
| 11 | Baylor College of Medicine Houston, TXPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 11 | — | — | — |
| 12 | The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Houston, TXPublicDoctoral | 11 | — | — | — |
| 13 | The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TXPublicDoctoral | 9 | 54% | — | — |
| 14 | Auburn University Auburn, ALPublicPost-degree cert. | 7 | 82% | — | — |
| 15 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FLPublicBachelor's | 7 | 86% | — | — |
| 16 | Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus Atlanta, GAPublicDoctoral | 7 | 94% | — | — |
| 17 | University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CAPublicDoctoral | 6 | 93% | — | — |
| 18 | Colby College Waterville, MEPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 89% | $15,696 | — |
| 19 | Albert Einstein College of Medicine Bronx, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 5 | — | — | — |
| 20 | University of Delaware Newark, DEPublicBachelor's | 4 | 81% | — | — |
| 21 | Cornell University Ithaca, NYPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 4 | 95% | $17,613 | $78,358 |
| 22 | St. John's University - New York Queens, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 4 | 66% | $27,359 | — |
| 23 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Denver, COPublicDoctoral | 3 | 46% | — | — |
| 24 | University of Kansas Lawrence, KSPublicDoctoral | 3 | 69% | — | — |
| 25 | Michigan Technological University Houghton, MIPublicBachelor's | 3 | 68% | — | — |
| 26 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VAPublicBachelor's | 2 | 86% | — | — |
| 27 | Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MSPublicDoctoral | 1 | 67% | — | — |
| 28 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 96% | $15,315 | — |
| 29 | Haverford College Haverford, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 90% | $17,179 | — |
* 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 18 states
Where Computational Biology graduates come from. Each state links to all Biomathematics programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 3 | 82 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus65 / yr |
| California | 2 | 62 | University of Southern California56 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 2 | 60 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology39 / yr |
| New Jersey | 2 | 40 | Princeton University26 / yr |
| Rhode Island | 1 | 33 | Brown University33 / yr |
| New York | 5 | 32 | Weill Medical College of Cornell University18 / yr |
| Texas | 3 | 31 | Baylor College of Medicine11 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 17 | Case Western Reserve University17 / yr |
| Alabama | 1 | 7 | Auburn University7 / yr |
| Florida | 1 | 7 | Florida State University7 / yr |
| Georgia | 1 | 7 | Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus7 / yr |
| Maine | 1 | 5 | Colby College5 / yr |
| Delaware | 1 | 4 | University of Delaware4 / yr |
| Colorado | 1 | 3 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus3 / yr |
| Kansas | 1 | 3 | University of Kansas3 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 3 | Michigan Technological University3 / yr |
| Virginia | 1 | 2 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University2 / yr |
| Mississippi | 1 | 1 | Mississippi State University1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-4021, Biological Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Computational Biology program can pursue various careers, including roles as Biological Technicians and Data Scientists. The job outlook is promising, with an annual growth rate of 3.5% and approximately 9,100 annual openings, offering a median wage of $52,000 for positions typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 26.1104
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 |
Computer Occupations, All Other SOC 15-1299 | $116,580 | +8.2% Much faster than average | ~31,300 | Bachelor's degree |
Data Scientists SOC 15-2051 | $120,230 | +33.5% Much faster than average | ~23,400 | Bachelor's degree |
Natural Sciences Managers SOC 11-9121 | $167,220 | +3.7% About as fast as average | ~8,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1042 | $84,620 | +7.3% Faster than average | ~5,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Biological Scientists, All Other SOC 19-1029 | $98,920 | +1.2% Little or no change | ~4,800 | Bachelor's degree |
Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other SOC 15-2099 | $81,490 | +4.0% About as fast as average | ~300 | Bachelor'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 Computational Biology 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).
Common questions
What is Computational Biology?+
It is a program that focuses on computational approaches to understanding biological systems.
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, Doctor's degree, or a Postbaccalaureate certificate.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, science, writing, and data analysis.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
You can work as a Biological Technician, Data Scientist, or in various other science-related roles.
What is the CIP code for Computational Biology?+
Computational Biology is CIP 26.1104 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 computational theoretical approaches to understanding biological systems, including computational models of biological processes, computational management of large-scale projects, database development and data-algorithm development, and high-performance computing, as well as statistical and mathematical analyses.
How many institutions offer Computational Biology programs?+
29 U.S. institutions reported Computational Biology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 18 states, awarding 399 credentials in the year. That is 9.5% of all Biomathematics graduates.
How much do Computational Biology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Biological Technicians occupation, which Computational Biology 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 $78,358 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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