Compare 6 Biostatistics. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $83,541. Top programs: $124,242+.
With top graduates earning $124,000, Biostatistics stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $40K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige. Across 6 ranked programs, outcomes track program quality, not brand recognition.
Cornell University leads with Biostatistics graduates earning $124,242—well above the $83,541 field average. Close behind, UC San Diego's program delivers $123,320, with a cohort three times larger at 71 graduates. That a public university nearly matches Cornell's outcomes is exactly why prestige-based program selection misses the point. [Learn how to evaluate programs beyond school prestige →](https://collegeazimuth.com/blog/how-to-evaluate-programs)
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Cornell graduates borrow $14,000 in student loans and face just a 1.9% payment burden, rating 'Excellent' on the GPS affordability scale. For families weighing parent loans, UC San Diego leads: combined family debt of $39,757 produces a 5.9% family burden—also 'Excellent'—at a net price of $7,525.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Cornell UniversityPrivate | $124,242 | 24 | $14,000 | Excellent | $38,000 | Excellent |
| #2 | $123,320 | 71 | $15,500 | Excellent | $24,257 | Excellent | |
| #3 | $94,408 | 15 | $14,768 | Excellent | $42,501 | Manageable | |
| #4 | Brigham Young UniversityPrivate | $71,015 | 39 | $11,069 | Excellent | $9,699 | Excellent |
| #5 | $51,054 | 24 | $10,533 | Excellent | $9,563 | Good | |
| #6 | $37,208 | 42 | $21,500 | Challenging | $23,585 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
