Master of Science [M.S] (Biological Science)
$38,154 /Yr
Drexel University Master of Science in Biological Sciences is a 45-credit graduate programme offered full-time or part-time in Philadelphia. Indian applicants need a four-year bachelor’s equivalent, and regular graduate admission typically expects GPA 3.0 on 4.0. Fall 2027 tuition is unpublished; 2026-27 tuition was US$1,510 per credit (INR 1.45 Lakhs), as a prior-cycle reference.
The programme builds a biology core in biochemistry, cell biology, genetics and molecular biology before specialised electives. It fits applicants who want thesis or non-thesis flexibility, with graduate co-op available only to full-time on-campus students. The main tradeoff is cost certainty, because Fall 2027 fees are not yet posted.
- The degree offers thesis and non-thesis routes, so applicants can choose research preparation or advanced coursework.
- Full-time on-campus students can pursue the graduate co-op option during the second year.
- Concentrations span biochemistry, microbiology, neurobiology, ecology, genetics and stem cell biology.
Current Admission Status
Applications for the Fall 2027 intake are Open. International student deadline: 01 May 2027.
Drexel lists May 1 as the Fall international deadline and publishes no portal time. Indian applicants should finish transcripts, English scores and recommendations before the date, because late document arrival can delay review.
Drexel Biological Sciences MS Fees and Living Costs 2027
Fall 2027 tuition is unpublished on Drexel’s checked programme, catalog, tuition and international-cost pages. The table uses 2026-27 official figures only as prior-cycle planning references.
The tuition rate applies to College of Arts and Sciences on-campus graduate programmes unless a listed exception applies. Biological Sciences is not listed as an exception on the current Drexel fee page.
Prior-cycle fee context: The following figures belong to the 2026-27 academic year and do not confirm Fall 2027 pricing.
| Fee item | USD amount | INR equivalent | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition per credit | US$1,510 | INR 1.45 Lakhs | College of Arts and Sciences rate |
| 45-credit tuition only | US$67,950 calculated | INR 65.11 Lakhs | US$1,510 x 45 credits |
| International estimate for 3 quarters | US$40,770 | INR 39.06 Lakhs | Tuition and fees estimate |
| Application fee | US$65 | INR 6,228 | Graduate application charge |
| First-year programme fee | US$300 | INR 28,745 | First year only |
| General full-time fee | US$280 per term | INR 26,829 per term | On-campus full-time fee |
All INR conversions in the article use a conversion rate of USD 1 = INR 95.8168 as of 25 September 2026. Rates fluctuate daily, verify before applying.
Source: Drexel Central graduate tuition and international cost pages, checked 26 September 2026.
- The 45-credit tuition calculation excludes future fee changes, living costs, deposits, insurance and personal spending.
- The US$40,770 estimate (INR 39.06 Lakhs) is a first academic-year estimate for 9 credits across three quarters.
- Do not subtract scholarships from the budget until Drexel issues a written award value and renewal rule.
Cost of Living in Philadelphia for Biological Sciences Students
Drexel publishes combined living and other-cost estimates for international students, not a rent, food and transport breakdown. The monthly values below divide the official 2026-27 three-quarter estimate by nine months.
| Expense | Monthly (USD) | Monthly (INR) | 9-month total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Living expenses | US$2,278 calculated | INR 2.18 Lakhs | US$20,502 (INR 19.64 Lakhs) |
| Other costs | US$1,195 calculated | INR 1.15 Lakhs | US$10,756 (INR 10.31 Lakhs) |
| Combined non-tuition estimate | US$3,473 calculated | INR 3.33 Lakhs | US$31,258 (INR 29.95 Lakhs) |
Drexel’s prior-cycle international estimate for one three-quarter academic year is US$72,028 (INR 69.01 Lakhs). This is not a full-degree cost, because the programme requires 45 credits and Fall 2027 rates are unpublished.
Verify the target fee on the official fee page before using any amount for loan sanction or Form I-20 funding. Use the tuition and living estimates separately because they answer different budget questions.
Read More: cost of living in USA for Indian students
Student perspective
A checked university review surface includes individual comments that housing search can be difficult without early peer networks. Treat this as anecdotal context and start housing outreach after admission through official and peer channels. Use Drexel’s official budget for funding evidence, and use student reviews only for lived-experience context.
These comments are anecdotal and do not replace official Drexel University data.
Key insight: The prior-cycle numbers show a high first-year funding requirement before the Fall 2027 fee is known. Keep loan and family-funding evidence flexible until Drexel posts the target rate.
Also Check: Drexel University admission process
Drexel Biological Sciences MS Admission 2027
Admission is built around a complete graduate file, relevant science preparation and English proficiency for international applicants. The programme is Fall-only for international MS applicants, so Indian students should align testing and transcripts with Fall 2027.
Drexel’s general graduate policy typically expects GPA 3.0 on 4.0 for regular admission. The Biological Sciences page adds programme-specific materials, including a 500-word essay and two recommendation letters.
Intakes and Academic Eligibility
The table combines the programme page, graduate catalog and Drexel graduate admission policy. The Indian conversion is an approximate planning range because Drexel decides official equivalency.
| Requirement | Published Drexel rule | Indian applicant action |
|---|---|---|
| Intake | Fall only for international MS applicants | Target Fall 2027 and ignore Spring or Summer backup plans |
| Study modes | Full-time and part-time in Philadelphia | Choose full-time on-campus study for graduate co-op access |
| Degree basis | Four-year bachelor’s equivalent for graduate admission | Show biology, chemistry, genetics or molecular biology preparation |
| Academic threshold | GPA 3.0 on 4.0 for regular admission | Approximately 70% to 75%, or CGPA 7.0 to 7.5 on 10 |
| GRE | GRE test scores are not required | Do not spend test time unless it clearly strengthens the file |
| Application materials | Essay, resume, transcripts and two recommendations | Use the essay to connect faculty areas with your route |
| Degree structure | 45 credits with thesis and non-thesis options | Select a route based on PhD, lab or applied career plans |
The full-time route has a distinct decision value because graduate co-op is limited to full-time on-campus master’s students. By contrast, part-time study can reduce term load but may weaken visa, co-op and timeline planning for Indian applicants.
English Language Proficiency
Drexel accepts several English tests for international applicants and lists score minimums on the Biological Sciences requirement page. The current TOEFL policy still publishes old formats, so applicants using a revised TOEFL score should verify the accepted scale before booking.
| Test or route | Published requirement | Indian applicant implication |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS | 7.0 overall | Use this route if component scores are consistently strong |
| TOEFL | Published as 100/600/250 | Verify the current accepted scale before sending scores |
| PTE | 68 | Confirm the Pearson Academic version is selected |
| Duolingo English Test | 110 | Check score validity through Fall 2027 enrollment |
| Waiver | Available only when Drexel criteria are met | Do not assume Indian English-medium study automatically qualifies |
The TOEFL line is reproduced as Drexel publishes it, without converting between score scales. Review the official admission requirements page before sending a result, because score-scale policies can change during the application year.
- Order transcripts early because Drexel may require additional international credential review before the file is evaluated.
- Use the 500-word essay to explain thesis interests, non-thesis goals or co-op fit with specific Biology strengths.
- Ask recommenders to discuss laboratory, coursework, research, fieldwork or analytical readiness for graduate biology.
Tip for Indian students: The safest admission plan is a complete Fall 2027 file with GPA strength, English evidence and a clear route choice. Full-time on-campus study matters if co-op is part of your value case.
Drexel Biological Sciences MS Application 2027
The Fall 2027 international deadline is 01 May 2027, and Drexel says all application requirements must be received by the deadline. No portal cutoff time is published, so an IST conversion cannot be shown reliably.
The applicant risk is not only the application form. Transcripts, recommendations and English evidence can delay review when they arrive after the file is submitted.
Forward-Looking Application Stages
The table uses Drexel’s current Fall international deadline and published application instructions. A fixed decision date is not published for this programme.
| Stage | Fall 2027 timing or item | Applicant action |
|---|---|---|
| Application opens | Open through Drexel’s graduate application route | Start once Fall 2027 is selectable in the portal |
| International deadline | 01 May 2027, portal time not published | Complete every requirement before the calendar date |
| Application fee | US$65 (INR 6,228) | Budget it separately from tuition and living costs |
| Decision date | Not published | Monitor the Discover Drexel portal after file completion |
| Visa document step | After admission and financial certification | Prepare bank letters and sponsor evidence early |
The deadline applies to submitted applications and all required materials. Indian applicants should therefore treat April as the working month for final transcript, test and recommendation checks.
Application Strategy for Indian Applicants
The strongest file explains why the flexible biology curriculum fits a specific route. A thesis applicant should name research direction clearly, while a non-thesis or co-op applicant should show the intended applied skill path.
- Map your essay to biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, molecular biology or another listed concentration.
- Use the resume to show lab, field, analysis, teaching or industry experience related to biological sciences.
- Ask referees to comment on research readiness, coursework strength and independent problem solving.
- Upload documents early enough to fix missing items before the May 1 international deadline.
The programme’s structure makes route selection important before admission. The thesis option suits doctoral or research plans, while the non-thesis and co-op route can suit applicants seeking applied laboratory or industry exposure.
Also Check: Drexel University profile and courses
Application tip: Submit before May 2027 only after every supporting item is ready, because Drexel evaluates complete files. The essay should make the thesis, non-thesis or co-op route obvious.
Drexel Biological Sciences MS Scholarships 2027
Drexel publishes several graduate funding routes, but it does not publish a Biological Sciences Fall 2027 guaranteed scholarship amount. Indian applicants should treat funding as competitive or conditional unless the admission letter states the award.
The most relevant routes are the Dean’s Scholarship, alumni tuition savings, Kaplan tuition credit and assistantship consideration. Percentage awards are kept as percentages because the target-cycle fee is unpublished.
Published Funding Routes
The table lists current published routes that can matter to an on-campus master’s applicant. Some routes require a Drexel alumni connection or separate programme confirmation.
| Funding route | Published value | INR equivalent | Eligibility and action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drexel Dean’s Scholarship | Percentage of tuition costs | Not calculable from target fee | Domestic and international on-campus master’s applicants |
| Lifelong Learner Award | 30% tuition savings | Not calculable from target fee | Drexel bachelor’s or master’s alumni in eligible programmes |
| Drexel Grad Grant | US$100 per credit | INR 9,582 per credit | Drexel alumni during first four consecutive quarters |
| Drexel-Kaplan credit | Up to US$1,200 | INR 1.15 Lakhs | Eligible Kaplan course or tutoring proof before enrollment |
| Assistantship consideration | Amount not published | Not calculable | Full-time students; many programmes use January 1 review |
The Dean’s Scholarship is the broadest published route for international on-campus master’s applicants. However, Drexel does not publish the award percentage for this programme, and the scholarship cannot be combined with other university grants or scholarships.
- Ask Graduate Admissions whether Biological Sciences MS applicants are considered automatically for the Dean’s Scholarship.
- Use the Lifelong Learner Award only if you already hold, or will hold, a Drexel bachelor’s or master’s degree.
- Keep Kaplan receipts if that route applies, because Drexel requires original proof before enrollment.
- Contact the Biology department early if assistantship funding is central to your budget.
No published route should be subtracted from the prior-cycle cost plan until Drexel issues the exact award. This matters for Indian loan planning because percentage awards and assistantships can change the funding evidence required for the visa file.
Read More: scholarships in USA for Indian students
Scholarship reality: Drexel has real funding routes, but the broadest Biological Sciences options are competitive or conditional. Build the Fall 2027 budget first, then treat any written award as a reduction.
Drexel Biological Sciences MS Salary 2027
Drexel does not publish a course-cohort salary, offer rate or placement report for the Biological Sciences MS. The official programme evidence is stronger for curriculum, thesis choice and graduate co-op eligibility than for measured salary outcomes.
The table therefore separates programme evidence from external United States labour-market benchmarks. These figures are not Drexel graduate salaries and should not be used as repayment guarantees.
Outcomes Evidence and Market Benchmarks
The programme can support research, laboratory, doctoral and applied biology goals, but applicants must verify employer fit independently. External wage data can frame the market, not the admission value.
| Evidence scope | Measure | USD amount | INR equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course evidence | Graduate co-op available for full-time on-campus students | No salary published | Not applicable |
| External BLS benchmark | Biological technicians median, May 2025 | US$57,510 | INR 55.10 Lakhs |
| External BLS benchmark | Research and development biological technicians | US$62,060 | INR 59.46 Lakhs |
| External BLS benchmark | Microbiologists median, May 2025 | US$87,990 | INR 84.31 Lakhs |
| External BLS benchmark | Biochemists and biophysicists median, May 2025 | US$127,410 | INR 1.22 Crore |
Source: Drexel programme and catalog pages, plus United States Bureau of Labor Statistics occupation data checked 26 September 2026.
These benchmarks point to different career levels. Biological technician roles commonly need a bachelor’s degree, while independent biochemistry and biophysics research often needs a doctoral degree.
ROI for Indian Applicants
The prior-cycle first academic-year estimate is US$72,028 (INR 69.01 Lakhs), before any Fall 2027 rate change. That cost can be rational only when the applicant uses the degree for research depth, co-op access, doctoral preparation or a clearly matched laboratory path.
- Drexel publishes no course salary report, so ask the department for recent Biological Sciences MS co-op and alumni examples.
- The full-time co-op option adds career value only if you prepare a lab-ready resume before the first year ends.
- The 26.0101 CIP code is on the DHS STEM list, so verify the I-20 code before relying on STEM OPT.
- Use gross salary benchmarks carefully because United States taxes, city costs and insurance can change take-home income.
The India-return case is different from the United States employment case. A thesis route may help doctoral applications, while the co-op route may help applied laboratory exposure, but neither route proves a placement probability.
Check Out: Drexel science courses for international students
ROI reality: The degree’s measurable strength is flexible biology training with optional graduate co-op, not a published salary guarantee. Treat external wages as market context and verify programme-specific outcomes before borrowing heavily.
USA Visa for Drexel Biological Sciences MS Students 2027
Indian students usually use the F-1 student visa after Drexel issues the Form I-20. Current official costs are the visa application fee of US$185 (INR 17,726) and the I-901 SEVIS fee of US$350 (INR 33,536). Confirm steps on the official student visa page.
- Standard Optional Practical Training gives up to 12 months of work authorization after eligible F-1 study.
- Drexel lists CIP code 26.0101, and the DHS STEM list includes Biology and Biological Sciences for possible 24-month STEM OPT.
- F-2 spouses and minor children may accompany the student, but F-2 dependants cannot work in the United States.
- H-1B sponsorship depends on an employer petition and the required wage rule, not on a course-specific salary threshold.
The STEM OPT point is useful, but it is not automatic. Indian applicants should verify the I-20 major code, employer eligibility and training-plan requirements with Drexel international student support before relying on a three-year work window.
Read More: post study work visa in USA
Visa reality: The programme’s CIP code supports a possible STEM OPT route, but authorization depends on the I-20 and later employer compliance. Keep visa funding separate from tuition estimates and verify each rule before applying.
Drexel’s Biological Sciences MS fits Indian applicants who want a flexible biology master’s with thesis, non-thesis and full-time co-op choices. The strongest fit is a student who can connect prior science work to a concentration and can fund the first year without assuming a scholarship. The tradeoff is that Fall 2027 tuition and course-cohort salary outcomes are unpublished, so the decision needs confirmed funding and direct programme questions. Before applying, verify the target fee, choose the study route and prepare a complete file before the May 1 international deadline.
Drexel Biological Sciences MS FAQs
Ques. Is Drexel Biological Sciences MS open for Fall 2027?
Ans. Yes, the Fall international route is the applicant-accessible target, and the listed international deadline is May 1. Submit documents before that date because Drexel requires all application materials by the deadline.
Ques. How much should Indian students budget for the programme?
Ans. Fall 2027 tuition is unpublished, so use prior-cycle figures only for planning. Drexel’s 2026-27 first academic-year international estimate was US$72,028 (INR 69.01 Lakhs).
Ques. Does the Biological Sciences MS include co-op?
Ans. Yes, Drexel lists graduate co-op for full-time on-campus Biological Sciences MS students. Part-time students should not assume the same co-op access without written confirmation.
Ques. Is GRE required for Drexel Biological Sciences MS?
Ans. No, GRE scores are not required for the checked programme route. A stronger file should focus on GPA, relevant science preparation, recommendations and a clear essay.
Ques. Is the programme useful for STEM OPT?
Ans. Drexel lists CIP code 26.0101, and that code appears on the DHS STEM list. Verify the I-20 code with Drexel before relying on the 24-month STEM OPT extension.
Tuition Fees
| Year | 1st Year Fees |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fees | $38154 |
Other Expenses
| Head | Avg Cost Per Year |
|---|---|
| Living Expenses | $19809 |
| Total Cost | $19809 |
Previous Year Tuition Fees
| Year | 1st Year Fees |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $40260 |
| 2022 | $30195 |
Scores Required
The GRE is not required for the MS in Biological Science.

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Scholarship Grants & Financial Aids
| Name | Scholarship Per Student | Level of Study | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship Program | Scholarship per student$ 10,000/Yr$10,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Axol Science Scholarship | Scholarship per student$ 2,000/Yr$2,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeCompany-Sponsored | |
| VueVille Future Technology Scholarship | Scholarship per student$ 1,000/Yr$1,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| R&D Systems Scholarship | Scholarship per student$ 1,500/Yr$1,500 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| QS Connect Master’s Scholarship | Scholarship per student$ 5,000/Yr$5,000 | Level Of StudyMaster | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Go Clean Scholarship | Scholarship per student$ 3,500/Yr$3,500 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based |
















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