Earning an online master’s degree in biotechnology can be an exciting way to boost your career. When you already have an undergraduate degree, this can help you to enter new opportunities. Even if you’re earning your undergraduate simultaneously, it’s critical to find the schools that offer the degree program that meets your needs.
Career Options for a Degree in Biotechnology
Whether you’re interested in antibiotics, hormones, or something else, biotechnology can be a great way to take things to the next level. Once you earn a master’s in biotechnology, it can open doors into all sorts of careers.
You may want to get involved in such careers as:
- Research and development
- Clinical research
- Software engineering
- Environmental science
- Food science
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Biological Technicians will earn a median salary of $45,860 with a bachelor’s degree. Once you add on the extra two years of education with a master’s degree, it can open up many more doors. Medical scientists, for example, can earn a median salary of $88,790, ensuring that the education more than pays for itself.
A variety of schools offer a master’s in biotechnology online. The online courses offer convenience so you can work while you earn a graduate degree. We’ve identified the top 19 schools across the nation for you to explore. You’ll find that they’re located around the country and can offer various specializations to help you excel in a particular industry.
Best 19 Online Master’s in Biotechnology
1. Arizona State University
At Arizona State University students can enroll in an MS program in Biology. Through the ASU School of Life Sciences, students can explore a research-intensive program with hands-on training. The online courses provide a significant amount of flexibility. Students can choose to specialize in biotechnology as well as the fields of medical or pharmaceutical. A total of 16 labs and 30 credit hours are needed in order to complete the program.
- Tuition Cost per Year: $11,338
- Total Enrollment: 74,878
2. University of Wisconsin-Madison
The University of Wisconsin-Madison offers a Master of Science in Biotechnology program. This is offered through the School of Medicine and Public Health. Students can choose online courses as well as exclusive evening and weekend courses. Most students will complete the degree in less than two years. Students will be able to take advantage of an unmatched curriculum that focuses on not only science but also business and law. Upon graduation, students can also take advantage of an extensive professional network at the University.
- Tuition Cost per Year: $10,725
- Total Enrollment: 43,820
3. Purdue University
At Purdue University, students can earn an MS in Biotechnology Innovation & Regulatory Science. The hybrid program is offered online and on-campus. A total of 30 credit hours are required, which takes most students 22 months to complete. It is considered one of the top agricultural biological engineering programs in the United States. Students will also have access to world-class research facilities and industry collaboration with guest speakers from regional and global organizations.
- Tuition Cost per Year: $15,000
- Total Enrollment: 41,573
4. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Students at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor will have access to a master’s program in Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics. Students who are looking to go into the industry of biotechnology will find that there are a number of options available, including a PhD/MS dual degree and the ability to transition from master’s to PhD. Most full-time students will complete the degree in three terms or 1 ½ years. The full program is a minimum of 30 credit hours and will also require research experience.
- Tuition Cost per Year: $15,558
- Total Enrollment: 44,718
5. University of California-Berkeley
At the University of California-Berkeley, students will have access to a number of master’s programs in the Sciences, Mathematics and Biotechnology Department. Self-paced online courses and a live online format are available. Courses that students can choose from include Biology of Aging, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, and more. Students will need to complete a minimum of 30 credit hours in order to graduate with a master’s degree.
- Tuition Cost per Year: $14,253
- Total Enrollment: 41,910
6. New York University
At New York University, students can earn an MS in Biotechnology. This fast-growing industry is supported within the School of Engineering. Students will also have access to a variety of molecular biology and genetic engineering courses. While many of the courses are offered online, students will also need to visit campus to complete labs. In order to earn a master’s degree, a master’s thesis is optional. Up to 36 credit hours will need to be earned, which includes required courses, elective courses, and guided studies.
- Tuition Cost per Year: $53,308
- Total Enrollment: 51,123
7. Harvard Extension School
Harvard Extension School offers a Biotechnology Degree program for students who wish to earn a master’s degree. There are a total of 12 courses, many of which are offered online. The only requirement is that at least two of the courses are taken on campus. Students will develop an understanding of biotechnology theory and research including genomics, cancer, and human physiology and genetics. Students will also be able to choose from a thesis track or a capstone track.
- Tuition Cost per Year: $51,925
- Total Enrollment: 22,947
8. Boston University
An MS in Biology is available for students at Boston University. Students will be able to focus on a variety of tracks, including biotechnology. Most students will spend the first year doing coursework and spend the next year working on either in the scholarly paper track or the research thesis track. There is a time limit to complete the master’s degree requirements within three years, though extensions can be made to the Graduate School.
- Tuition Cost per Year: $55,892
- Total Enrollment: 32,551
9. Baylor University
Students who wish to pursue an MS in biotechnology will have the ability to do so at Baylor University. Areas of specialization within the biology degree include comparative anatomy and morphology, systematics, genetics and molecular biology, population biology, and more. Students will be able to take courses online and take advantage of state-of-the-art labs on campus. Students will also work closely with faculty members in order to complete the necessary research requirements for graduation.
- Tuition Cost per Year: $47,364
- Total Enrollment: 16,787
10. John Hopkins University
An MS in Biotechnology is available at John Hopkins University. Within the Krieger School of Arts & Sciences, students will be able to complete a comprehensive program. Students can choose between an online or on-site mode of study. There are 10 courses required, which can take students between 12 and 36 months to complete. The courses will make it possible to work in a variety of industries where biotechnology can be used in product development, research and development, marketing, finance, law, and more.
- Tuition Cost per Year: $55,350
- Total Enrollment: 23,917
11. Northeastern University
Northeastern University offers a master’s online in Biotechnology. The program provides students with professional skills and biotechnology expertise. Most students will complete the program in 2 to 3 years. Students will have a required core of classes as well as an elective list that includes such courses as Bioinformatics, Plant Biotechnology, and Inventions in Microbial Biotechnology. Throughout the program, students will take advantage of experiential learning with co-op placements from various other schools, labs, and organizations.
- Tuition Cost per Year: $53,506
- Total Enrollment: 19,940
12. Stanford University
Students at Stanford University can complete an MS in Biotechnology online. The Stanford School of Engineering offers a comprehensive program that focuses on topics such as protein production, cell culture, viruses and gene therapy, and pharmaceutical development. Throughout the program, students will learn about governmental regulations and ethics surrounding a number of hot topics within the industry including genome sequencing and cloning.
- Tuition Cost per Year: $53,529
- Total Enrollment: 16,914
13. University of Pennsylvania
The Master of Biotechnology Program at the University of Pennsylvania is found within the Penn Engineering Department. Students will have access to courses throughout the schools of engineering, arts, sciences, and medicine. There are world-class biomedical research centers available for students to use throughout the program. Online and on-campus courses are available. Students can also choose molecular biology, biomedical technologies, and biopharmaceutical/engineering biotechnology.
- Tuition Cost per Year: $57,770
- Total Enrollment: 24,806
14. Columbia University
A variety of MA programs are available online at Columbia University, including Biotechnology. Students will learn about the modern aspects of molecular biology, placing an emphasis on how it is used in the industries of biotechnology and pharmaceutical. There are both part-time and full-time degree programs available. 30 credit hours are required along with a master’s thesis in order to graduate.
- Tuition Cost per Year: $61,788
- Total Enrollment: 31,455
15. Northwestern University
The Master of Science in Biotechnology is available at Northwestern University through the McCormick School of Engineering. Students will learn about such things as cell and gene therapies, auto-immune therapeutics, and bio-based environmental solutions. The degree program involves extensive research. Students will have access to 80+ leading research labs in the area. Classes are available online, and most students will take between 15 and 21 months to complete the degree working full time.
- Tuition Cost per Year: $56,691
- Total Enrollment: 21,000
16. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
At the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), students will have access to a variety of masters’ programs that focus on biotechnology. This includes earning a professional certificate in Biotechnology & Life Sciences, a MEng in Biomedical Engineering, and an MS in Computational and Systems Biology. With so many sub-areas of biology available, students can choose the right career path for themselves. Online courses allow for independent research while on-campus labs provide a high level of innovation.
- Tuition Cost per Year: $53,790
- Total Enrollment: 11,376
17. Yale University
Within the Yale School of Medicine, students can attend Yale University for an MS in Biotechnology. Students can choose online and on-campus courses, have access to a significant amount of research and innovation and collaborate with advisors, professors, scientists, and physicians. Students can also explore various other degrees including an MBA or a Ph.D. to help with career opportunities.
- Tuition Cost per Year: $55,500
- Total Enrollment: 12,385
18. University of Chicago
At the University of Chicago, students can explore an MS degree in the Biological Sciences Division. Students will have access to a variety of labs and will work closely with professors. Students can choose to receive a terminal master’s degree or continue on for their Ph.D. program.
- Tuition Cost per Year: $60,552
- Total Enrollment: 14,467
19. Georgetown University
A Masters in Biotechnology program is available at Georgetown University. The online program focuses on biochemistry and molecular biology along with the concepts of business and legal studies. Students will have access to a number of merit-based scholarships when choosing the MS Biotechnology program. Additionally, students will have access to labs and research centers across the campus.
- Tuition Cost per Year: $56,058
- Total Enrollment: 5365
Our Ranking Methodology
Schools are ranked methodically by establishing a score for the tuition cost and a score for the total enrollment. The scores are added together to rank the schools from 1 to 19 in terms of how affordable and how popular they are.
The schools are scored based on the affordability of the tuition. Undergraduate tuition rates are given as this makes it easier to make comparisons across the board. When applicable, in-state rates are used. No room & board or books are added to the tuition rates. The cost is per year (two semesters). Costs may go up for graduate tuition, though costs may go down when scholarships are applied.
The schools are also scored based on the total enrollment. Schools with higher enrollment numbers are given higher scores because of the popularity as well as the availability of more services and activities.
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Are you interested in pursuing a master’s degree in biotechnology? Let us help you to find an array of online programs to choose from.