Best institutions to study Epidemiology and Biostatistics
A program with a general synthesis of epidemiology and biostatistics or a specialization which draws from epidemiology and biostatistics.
19 U.S. institutions graduated 248 Epidemiology and Biostatistics students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 26.1311, a specialization of Ecology (CIP 26.13), and leads most directly to the Epidemiologists occupation (BLS SOC 19-1041).
About Epidemiology and Biostatistics programs
A program with a general synthesis of epidemiology and biostatistics or a specialization which draws from epidemiology and biostatistics. Includes instruction in biostatistics, disease and injury determinants, epidemiology, health services research, pathology, spatial analysis, and statistics.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Epidemiology and Biostatistics program, a specialization within the field of Ecology, focuses on the synthesis of epidemiology and biostatistics. This program is designed for students interested in understanding disease determinants and improving public health through data analysis and research. It is ideal for those who are passionate about biological and biomedical sciences and wish to make a significant impact on community health.
Students in this program will gain essential skills in critical thinking, mathematics, and science, along with knowledge in biology, medicine, and statistics. Coursework typically includes biostatistics, epidemiology, health services research, and spatial analysis, preparing graduates to tackle complex health issues.
Credentials awarded
What Epidemiology and Biostatistics graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree194 graduates / yr · 14 institutions78%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship28 graduates / yr · 5 institutions11%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate23 graduates / yr · 1 institution9.3%
- Post-master's certificate3 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.2%
Graduates over time
Epidemiology and Biostatistics completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 7 |
| 2022 | 48 |
| 2023 | 80 |
| 2024 | 150 |
| 2025 | 248 |
CIP 26.1311 was introduced in CIP 2020, so the series starts when institutions began reporting under the new code.
Top 19 institutions for Epidemiology and 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 | University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CAPublicMaster's | 32 | 93% | — | — |
| 2 | Southern Connecticut State University New Haven, CTPublicMaster's | 31 | 50% | — | — |
| 3 | University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MSPublicMaster's | 28 | 49% | — | — |
| 4 | Sacred Heart University Fairfield, CTPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 25 | 73% | $42,705 | — |
| 5 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OHPublicPost-degree cert. | 23 | 65% | — | — |
| 6 | University of North Dakota Grand Forks, NDPublicMaster's | 17 | 60% | — | — |
| 7 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicDoctoralMaster's | 17 | 85% | — | $27,100 |
| 8 | University of California - Irvine Irvine, CAPublicMaster's | 14 | 87% | — | — |
| 9 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicMaster's | 9 | 85% | — | $33,682 |
| 10 | Monroe University Bronx, NYPrivate for-profitMaster's | 9 | 57% | $12,028 | — |
| 11 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UTPublicDoctoral | 9 | 65% | — | — |
| 12 | University of Rochester Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 7 | 85% | $25,874 | — |
| 13 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 7 | 75% | — | — |
| 14 | Lehigh University Bethlehem, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 7 | 88% | $26,912 | — |
| 15 | University of Memphis Memphis, TNPublicDoctoral | 4 | 51% | — | — |
| 16 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicMaster's | 3 | 93% | — | $22,844 |
| 17 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicMaster's | 2 | 68% | — | — |
| 18 | Claremont Graduate University Claremont, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | — | — | — |
| 19 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KYPublicDoctoral | 2 | 71% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Ecology field (CIP 26.13) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 14 states
Where Epidemiology and Biostatistics graduates come from. Each state links to all Ecology programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | 2 | 56 | Southern Connecticut State University31 / yr |
| California | 3 | 48 | University of California - Berkeley32 / yr |
| Ohio | 2 | 30 | Ohio University - Main Campus23 / yr |
| Mississippi | 1 | 28 | University of Southern Mississippi28 / yr |
| North Dakota | 1 | 17 | University of North Dakota17 / yr |
| Washington | 1 | 17 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus17 / yr |
| New York | 2 | 16 | Monroe University9 / yr |
| Minnesota | 1 | 9 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities9 / yr |
| Utah | 1 | 9 | University of Utah9 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 7 | Lehigh University7 / yr |
| Tennessee | 1 | 4 | University of Memphis4 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 3 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor3 / yr |
| Arizona | 1 | 2 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion2 / yr |
| Kentucky | 1 | 2 | University of Kentucky2 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-1041, Epidemiologists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Epidemiology and Biostatistics program can pursue careers as epidemiologists, health specialties teachers, and statisticians, among others. The job outlook is promising, with a growth rate of 16.2% and approximately 800 annual openings. The median wage for these roles is around $83,980, typically requiring a Master's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 26.1311
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Epidemiologistsprimary SOC 19-1041 | $87,220 | +16.2% Much faster than average | ~800 | Master's degree |
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1071 | $107,310 | +17.3% Much faster than average | ~27,400 | 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 |
Statisticians SOC 15-2041 | $105,650 | +8.5% Much faster than average | ~2,000 | Master's degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Epidemiology and 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
- Communicate research findings on various types of diseases to health practitioners, policy makers, and the public.
- Oversee public health programs, including statistical analysis, health care planning, surveillance systems, and public health improvement.
- Investigate diseases or parasites to determine cause and risk factors, progress, life cycle, or mode of transmission.
- Educate healthcare workers, patients, and the public about infectious and communicable diseases, including disease transmission and prevention.
- Monitor and report incidents of infectious diseases to local and state health agencies.
- Plan and direct studies to investigate human or animal disease, preventive methods, and treatments for disease.
Tools and technology used
Other Ecology specializations
The 11 other 6-digit CIP codes under Ecology (CIP 26.13).
- EpidemiologyCIP 26.13093,001 graduates / yr102 institutions
- Marine Biology and Biological OceanographyCIP 26.13022,636 graduates / yr84 institutions
- EcologyCIP 26.13011,166 graduates / yr67 institutions
- Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyCIP 26.1310879 graduates / yr42 institutions
- Environmental BiologyCIP 26.1305481 graduates / yr51 institutions
- Conservation BiologyCIP 26.1307405 graduates / yr37 institutions
- EcologyCIP 26.1399344 graduates / yr17 institutions
- Evolutionary BiologyCIP 26.1303192 graduates / yr14 institutions
- Aquatic Biology/CIP 26.1304
Limnology partial data126 graduates / yr9 institutions - Systematic Biology/CIP 26.1308
Biological Systematics limited data24 graduates / yr2 institutions - Population BiologyCIP 26.1306partial data10 graduates / yr3 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Master's degree, a Doctor's degree, a Postbaccalaureate certificate, or a Post-master's certificate.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, mathematics, science, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as an epidemiologist, health specialties teacher, or statistician, among other roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 16.2% and about 800 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Epidemiology and Biostatistics?+
Epidemiology and Biostatistics is CIP 26.1311 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Ecology (CIP 26.13). NCES defines it as: A program with a general synthesis of epidemiology and biostatistics or a specialization which draws from epidemiology and biostatistics. Includes instruction in biostatistics, disease and injury determinants, epidemiology, health services research, pathology, spatial analysis, and statistics.
How many institutions offer Epidemiology and Biostatistics programs?+
19 U.S. institutions reported Epidemiology and Biostatistics graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 14 states, awarding 248 credentials in the year. That is 2.6% of all Ecology graduates.
How much do Epidemiology and Biostatistics graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Epidemiologists occupation, which Epidemiology and Biostatistics most directly leads to, pays a median of $87,220 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Ecology field report median earnings of $27,100 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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