Northeastern University MS Bioinformatics : Fees, Living Costs, Test Scores, Visa Process, Work during Study, Entry Requirements.

Northeastern University MS Bioinformatics Fees, Application, Requirement, Deadline 2026

Boston, MassachusettsLocation
UniversitySchool type
Estd1898established year
39774enrollment
Private (Not for Profit)
Partner [1 Courses]
7.4/10

Master of Science [MS] (Bioinformatics)

2 years
Full Time
On Campus

Field of Study: 

Ranked #168 out of 1200 by THE Global Ranking 2022

$31,008 /Yr

10 Students Applied
8 Students Admitted
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Study Abroad Team

Updated on - Sep 26, 2026

Northeastern University MS Bioinformatics is a Master of Science degree delivered on-ground at the Boston campus, with full-time or part-time study over 2 to 3 years. Indian applicants need a bachelor’s degree or equivalent; estimated total tuition is US$63,552 (INR 60.99 Lakhs), with Spring 2027 entry targeted here.

The programme trains students to combine biology, programming, statistics and computational methods for biotech, genomics and pharmaceutical work. It best fits applicants who already have life-science, computing or quantitative preparation and want a co-op-enabled professional route rather than a purely thesis-led research degree.

  • The Boston route meets F-1 visa requirements, which matters for Indian applicants who need an in-person study plan.
  • The 32-credit curriculum includes optional concentrations in bioinformatics enterprise, biotechnology, data analytics, health informatics and omics.
  • The optional graduate co-op can add three to six months of professional experience when academic progress and employer matching align.

Current Admission Status

Applications for the Spring 2027 intake are Open. International student deadline: 01 November 2026.

The deadline is date-only on the checked College of Science pages, so Indian applicants should complete submission before 31 October 2026 IST. The Fall 2026 international deadline has passed, making Spring 2027 the next applicant-facing intake.

Also Check: Northeastern University admissions

Northeastern MS Bioinformatics Fees and Living Costs 2027

Spring 2027 budgeting should begin with the 2026-27 College of Science rate because Northeastern publishes the MS Bioinformatics rate per credit. The graduate page also gives a total tuition estimate, while the Form I-20 supports visa funding evidence.

Confirmed 2026-27 fee context: the figures below use Northeastern’s published Boston graduate tuition and fee pages for the MS Bioinformatics tier.

Cost itemOfficial basisAmount (USD)Amount (INR)
MS Bioinformatics tuitionUS$1,986 per credit across 32 creditsUS$63,552INR 60.99 Lakhs
Per-credit tuitionCollege of Science MS Bioinformatics rateUS$1,986INR 1.91 Lakhs
First-year I-20 tuition and fees estimateCollege of Science all other graduate programmes groupUS$32,065INR 30.77 Lakhs
International student feeOne-time university feeUS$450INR 43,185
Northeastern student health planAnnual charge, waivable with eligible coverUS$3,049INR 2.93 Lakhs

All INR conversions in the article use a conversion rate of USD 1 = INR 95.9666 as of 26 September 2026. Rates fluctuate daily, verify before applying.

The US$63,552 (INR 60.99 Lakhs) figure is tuition for the full degree, not a first-year bill. The I-20 line is lower because it supports one academic year of visa documentation, while later terms still need separate funding.

  • Model the degree as a two-year commitment because the published duration is 2 to 3 years.
  • Keep the US$32,065 (INR 30.77 Lakhs) I-20 estimate separate from the full tuition total.
  • Add health insurance only after checking whether an Indian or US policy can meet Northeastern’s waiver rules.

Cost of Living in Boston for MS Bioinformatics Students

Northeastern’s 2026-27 I-20 page lists US$27,728 (INR 26.61 Lakhs) as living expenses for the programme group that includes MS Bioinformatics. The source gives a combined living estimate, so rent, food, transport and personal costs should not be split into invented sub-budgets.

ExpenseMonthly (USD)Monthly (INR)Annual (USD)Annual (INR)
Combined living expensesUS$2,310.67INR 2.22 LakhsUS$27,728INR 26.61 Lakhs
Total living-cost estimateUS$2,310.67INR 2.22 LakhsUS$27,728INR 26.61 Lakhs

A calculated two-year tuition plus living illustration is US$119,008 (INR 1.14 Crore), based on US$63,552 tuition and two annual living estimates. With published term fees, health plan, health and counseling fee and international fee added, the planning budget becomes about US$126,722 (INR 1.22 Crore).

Read More: cost of living in USA for Indian students

Budget note

The calculated budget is not a university-published net price because housing choices, health-plan waivers and course pacing can change the final bill. Use it as a funding floor before adding flights, visa fees and currency movement.

Key insight: The Boston MS needs a funding plan above US$119,008 (INR 1.14 Crore) before visa costs. A co-op can improve experience, but it should not be used to close the admission budget.

Northeastern MS Bioinformatics Admission 2027

Admission is open to applicants with a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, and Northeastern reviews international transcripts for official equivalency. The Boston course has Fall and Spring entry terms, but Spring 2027 is the next usable international target.

Intakes and Entry Terms

The Boston MS Bioinformatics page lists Fall and Spring entry terms. The same programme family also lists Oakland, Portland, Toronto and online versions, but this article is scoped to the Boston on-ground route.

Entry routeCurrent official statusIndian applicant meaning
Spring 2027, Boston on-groundInternational deadline is 01 November 2026Usable target intake for a new Indian F-1 applicant
Fall 2027, Boston on-groundRecurring deadline is published without a yearUse June 2027 as the conservative planning month
Part-time Boston studyListed as availableNot the default plan for a student needing full-time F-1 enrollment
Online studyListed in the programme familyNot suitable when the primary goal is U.S. in-person study and visa eligibility

Academic Eligibility

Northeastern’s College of Science requires a completed application, transcripts, personal statement, resume and two letters of recommendation for master’s applicants. The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is listed as not required for master’s degree applicants.

RequirementOfficial ruleIndian applicant interpretation
DegreeBachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited college or universityA recognised Indian bachelor’s degree can qualify, subject to Northeastern’s transcript review
Admission GPANo programme-specific minimum admission GPA was published on checked pagesDo not present a percentage cutoff unless the portal requests one
Programme standingMinimum 3.000 GPA required for the MS curriculumApproximately 70% to 75%, or CGPA 7.0 to 7.5 on 10, for planning only
RecommendationsTwo letters required for master’s degree applicantsUse one academic recommender and one research or technical supervisor when possible
PrerequisitesNo Bioinformatics prerequisite form was listed on the current College of Science pageExplain biology, programming, statistics and data-analysis preparation in the statement

English Language Proficiency

Proof of English proficiency is required unless the applicant qualifies through a U.S. degree or a degree taught only in English. The checked College of Science pages list accepted tests, but programme-specific minimum scores are unpublished after successful checks.

RoutePublished statusApplicant action
TOEFL iBTAccepted, institution code 3682; current minimum score unpublishedVerify the score scale before booking because TOEFL changed in 2026
IELTSAccepted, programme-specific minimum unpublishedUse the test only after confirming the portal accepts the planned test date
PTE AcademicAccepted, programme-specific minimum unpublishedUpload unofficial scores for review if the application permits it
Duolingo English TestAccepted, programme-specific minimum unpublishedConfirm whether the test remains available for the Spring 2027 intake
Waiver routeDegree earned or in progress where English is the only medium of instructionPrepare a medium-of-instruction letter if the transcript does not state it clearly

The College of Science application page says applicants should refer to individual programme requirements, but the checked Bioinformatics page does not publish TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or Duolingo cutoffs. Verify the latest requirement on the official College of Science application page before paying for a test.

  • Start English testing early because official verified scores must arrive by the first day of the entry term.
  • Use the statement to connect prior coding, molecular biology, statistics and genomics exposure with the chosen concentration.
  • Do not treat the 3.000 GPA curriculum rule as a published admission cutoff for Indian percentage conversion.
Tip for Indian students: The strongest file links transcript evidence with bioinformatics readiness, not only biology interest. Show coursework or projects in programming, statistics and molecular data analysis before relying on the co-op brand.

Northeastern MS Bioinformatics Application 2027

Spring 2027 is the actionable application round because the published international deadline is 01 November 2026. Northeastern does not publish a decision-date table for this programme, so applicants should treat a complete file as the main timing control.

Deadline context: the checked official pages publish date-only deadlines and do not give a portal time zone, so Indian applicants should submit before the previous IST date.

Application itemPublished deadline or statusIST planning action
Spring 2027 international applicant outside the United States01 November 2026Submit by 31 October 2026 IST
Spring 2027 international applicant already on F-1 status15 November 2026Use only if already in valid U.S. F-1 status
Spring 2027 domestic deadline01 December 2026Not relevant for a new Indian visa applicant
Fall 2027 international deadlineGeneral page lists 15 June; programme page lists 01 JulyPlan for 15 June 2027 unless the portal confirms otherwise
Decision releaseNo fixed decision date publishedTrack the applicant portal after all documents are received

The application sequence is document-heavy because the committee needs academic evidence, fit and communication ability before admission. Indian applicants should upload readable unofficial transcripts first, then prepare official records only after admission instructions request them.

  • Complete the online application before chasing recommendations because recommenders submit through the portal.
  • Use the personal statement to explain why the Boston on-ground route matters for co-op, research exposure and biotech access.
  • Keep passport, funding and English-score records ready before the admission decision because I-20 processing follows admission.

The Fall timing should be handled cautiously because two current official College of Science surfaces show different international dates. A Spring applicant avoids that conflict, while a Fall 2027 applicant should use the earlier date until Northeastern confirms the exact portal cutoff.

Application tip: Spring 2027 applicants have a clear international date of 01 November 2026. Submit before the prior IST day because the official pages do not publish a cutoff time.

Northeastern MS Bioinformatics Scholarships 2027

Northeastern publishes graduate scholarship routes, but it does not publish a Spring 2027 MS Bioinformatics award table with guaranteed amounts for Indian applicants. Treat each award as conditional until it appears in the admission or scholarship letter.

Current published scholarship context: College of Science scholarships may be automatic or separately applied, and students qualifying for multiple awards receive the highest-value award.

Award or funding routePublished valueWho can use itApplication route
College of Science merit considerationVaries by term and offerApplicants to eligible College of Science graduate programmesUsually assessed through admission review
Double Husky Scholarship25% tuition discountNortheastern alumni in eligible master’s, certificate or doctoral programmesConfirm eligibility before enrollment
Full Circle Scholarship25% tuition discountApplicants with eligible service experience, including listed service organisationsSeparate eligibility proof may be required
Martin Luther King Jr. Graduate FellowshipFull tuition and fees, insurance excludedSix graduate students each year under the published fellowship routeCheck fellowship-specific eligibility and nomination process
External fellowshipsDepends on sponsorApplicants using Fulbright or other external funding routesApply through the external sponsor timeline

For a first-time Indian applicant without Northeastern alumni status, the most practical funding route is admission-based consideration plus external scholarships. A percentage award should be applied to confirmed tuition only after the official award letter states the percentage and eligible charges.

  • Do not subtract a scholarship from the I-20 budget until Northeastern lists it in the financial document.
  • Ask whether a scholarship applies to summer or co-op terms before reducing the two-year budget.
  • Keep external scholarship deadlines ahead of the 01 November 2026 application deadline because award letters can lag admission.

Read More: Northeastern University scholarships

Scholarship reality: The published 25% awards are useful only when the applicant meets the named condition. Build the visa budget first, then treat any award as a reduction after written confirmation.

Northeastern MS Bioinformatics Salary 2027

The strongest official career evidence is employment rate, not salary. Northeastern states that 94% of MS Bioinformatics graduates found employment within six months for the last three years, but it does not publish a course salary report.

Career evidence scope: the table separates course-specific outcomes from co-op examples and external market benchmarks.

EvidenceScopePublished measureDecision use
Employment within six monthsCourse-specific outcome94% for the last three yearsShows reported placement access, not a salary guarantee
Graduate co-opProgramme featureThree-month or six-month co-op optionCan reduce experience risk before graduation
Recent co-op partnersProgramme examplesBroad Institute, Harvard Medical School and Dana-Farber listedShows historical access, not guaranteed hiring
Course-specific salaryUnavailable after checksNo official cohort salary table publishedUse external salary data only as market context

Source: Northeastern programme page and current O*NET wage data.

For ROI, the two-year planning budget of US$126,722 (INR 1.22 Crore) is high enough that applicants need a clear U.S. work strategy. The programme’s co-op structure helps build that strategy, but it does not remove funding or visa risk.

  • The 94% employment statement supports career access, so applicants should ask the department how recent cohorts used co-op before paying deposits.
  • The curriculum needs programming, statistics and molecular data fluency, so weak coding preparation can increase academic and career risk.
  • The Boston location supports biotech networking, but housing costs make unpaid research work financially harder during the programme.
  • Indian return plans need separate salary research because US bioinformatics wages do not translate into India payback.

The university-cited Glassdoor benchmark says average bioinformatician salary is US$112,728 (INR 1.08 Crore), with total pay up to US$167,000 (INR 1.60 Crore). O*NET lists Bioinformatics Scientists under Biological Scientists, All Other, with a 2025 median of US$98,920 (INR 94.93 Lakhs).

Salary or wage evidenceEvidence scopeAmount (USD)Amount (INR)
Bioinformatician average salaryUniversity-cited Glassdoor 2023 market benchmarkUS$112,728INR 1.08 Crore
Bioinformatician total pay upper benchmarkUniversity-cited Glassdoor 2023 market benchmarkUS$167,000INR 1.60 Crore
Bioinformatics Scientists median wageO*NET and BLS 2025 external occupation benchmarkUS$98,920INR 94.93 Lakhs

Source: Northeastern programme page for the Glassdoor benchmark and O*NET for the 2025 occupational wage benchmark.

These figures are gross market benchmarks, not take-home pay or Northeastern graduate salaries. Use a U.S. federal and state tax calculator after confirming job state, visa status and benefits.

Also Check: Northeastern University placements

ROI reality: The programme can be rational for applicants targeting bioinformatics roles and ready for co-op preparation. It is financially risky when the plan depends on a scholarship, part-time work or an unverified U.S. salary.

USA Visa for Northeastern MS Bioinformatics Students 2027

Indian students normally use the F-1 student visa for the Boston on-ground MS, after Northeastern issues Form I-20, the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. The current visa application fee is US$185 (INR 17,754), and the I-901 SEVIS fee is US$350 (INR 33,588).

  • The standard OPT (Optional Practical Training) period can provide up to 12 months of work related to the major after graduation.
  • Northeastern lists MS Bioinformatics with CIP code 26.1103, and DHS includes Bioinformatics in the STEM field group for a possible 24-month extension.
  • An H-1B specialty-occupation route depends on employer sponsorship and the required wage, so there is no single course-linked salary threshold.
  • F-2 status may cover a spouse or unmarried minor child, but F-2 dependants are not work-authorised under that status.

The visa budget is separate from tuition and living costs because government fees, interview timing and SEVIS records follow a different process. Permanent residence has no fixed course-linked timeline, so plan around employer sponsorship and visa availability rather than the degree alone.

Read More: US F-1 student visa process

Visa reality: The Boston on-ground format supports the F-1 pathway and potential STEM OPT extension. The visa benefit works only if the student maintains status, secures related employment and follows DSO instructions.

Northeastern MS Bioinformatics Ranking 2027

No MS Bioinformatics programme-specific rank was found on the checked ranking surfaces. The usable signal is a subject-level Life Sciences ranking, which is relevant to bioinformatics but broader than the degree.

Ranking context: use the subject rank for academic reputation only, not for salary, admission chance or co-op access.

Ranking bodyEditionSubject or scopePositionApplicant meaning
THE (Times Higher Education)2026Life Sciences176-200Relevant discipline signal for biology-linked study
Programme-specific MS Bioinformatics rankingChecked current surfacesExact programmeNot publishedDo not treat the subject band as a course rank

The ranking helps establish a broad life-sciences research environment, but the degree decision should still rest on curriculum, co-op fit, tuition and visa planning. For Indian applicants, the 32-credit structure and Boston co-op route are stronger decision inputs than the subject band alone.

Check Out: Northeastern University rankings

Honest take: The 176-200 Life Sciences band supports broad subject reputation, not a Bioinformatics placement promise. Use it as secondary evidence after confirming academic fit and total cost.

Northeastern University MS Bioinformatics fits Indian applicants who can show biology, programming and statistics readiness before entering the Boston co-op ecosystem. The course is strongest for students targeting biotech, genomics or computational biology roles and willing to manage a high two-year budget. The main tradeoff is cost because the calculated plan reaches about US$126,722 (INR 1.22 Crore) before visa fees. The next decision should be whether the applicant can fund Spring 2027 and build a credible co-op-ready technical profile.

Northeastern MS Bioinformatics FAQs

Ques. Is Northeastern MS Bioinformatics worth it for Indian students?

Ans. It can be worth it for applicants targeting U.S. biotech or computational biology roles and ready for co-op preparation. The cost is high, with the calculated two-year plan at US$126,722 (INR 1.22 Crore) before visa fees.

Ques. What is the Spring 2027 deadline for Northeastern MS Bioinformatics?

Ans. The Spring 2027 international deadline is 01 November 2026 for applicants outside the United States. Indian applicants should submit by 31 October 2026 IST because no portal cutoff time is published.

Ques. Does Northeastern MS Bioinformatics require GRE?

Ans. The College of Science page lists the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) as not required for master’s degree applicants. Use the statement, transcripts and recommendations to prove technical preparation instead.

Ques. What English score is needed for Northeastern MS Bioinformatics?

Ans. Northeastern accepts TOEFL iBT, IELTS, PTE and Duolingo English Test routes, but checked pages do not publish programme-specific minimum scores. Verify the portal requirement before booking a test.

Ques. Is Northeastern MS Bioinformatics eligible for STEM OPT?

Ans. Northeastern lists MS Bioinformatics under CIP code 26.1103, and the DHS STEM list includes Bioinformatics within the relevant field group. Eligible F-1 graduates may seek a 24-month STEM OPT extension after standard OPT.


Tuition Fees

Year1st Year Fees
Tuition Fees$31008

Other Expenses

HeadAvg Cost Per Year
Housing Allowance$16200
Food Allowance$4800

Fee per Credit:$1,938

Previous Year Tuition Fees

Year1st Year Fees
2024$59616
2022$55400

Important Dates

EventApplication Date
Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake Jul 1, 2026
Final Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake Jul 15, 2026

Scores Required

6.5 / 9

Avg. Score in

IELTS

90 / 120

Avg. Score in

TOEFL

120 / 160

Avg. Score in

Duolingo

61 / 90

Avg. Score in

PTE

100

Application Fees

32

ECTS Credits


Ranking

20222021

Times Higher Education logo
Sciences 168 out of 1200 in Global Ranking
( #20 out of 52 in USA 2022)

Academy Ranking of World Universities,Clasificación Académica de Universidades Mundiales logo
Sciences 151 out of 500 in Global Ranking
( #28 out of 147 in USA 2022)

US News logo
Sciences 126 out of 250 in Global Ranking
( #33 out of 57 in USA 2022)

Do you think the Rankings are wrong ?  Report Here

TOP Scholarships

Scholarship nameAward amountEligibility
Dean ScholarshipsProvides a considerable tuition waiverAwarded competitively to a limited number of well-qualified MBA-level students
Double Husky Scholarship25-percent tuition discountThere is no special application required.



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