MS in Biotechnology in the USA: Why and Where?

I came across a beautiful quote by author Terry Pratchett. It goes like this: Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.

It is an inspiring quote applicable to aspirants like you who dream to study abroad. According to Grandview Research, an Indian & U.S. based market research company, the global Biotechnology market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of more than 15% from 2021 to 2028. So, yes, it is never too late to consider studying abroad for your masters in Biotechnology.

Benefits of studying MS in Biotechnology in the USA

• The U.S. is technically advanced which promises better infrastructure, lab facilities and exposure.
• The quality of education is better.
• It has most of the top-ranking institutions for Biological Sciences as per the QS World University Rankings 2021.
• The U.S. also has some of the top biotech companies in the world. This includes Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc., Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc., which is a subsidiary of AstraZeneca, Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc., and Incyte Corp. If you plan to work in the U.S. after your studies, it will be easier if you complete your studies there.
• The U.S. pharmaceutical companies spend a lot on R&D. If you are into research, it is the best place to work. Career-oriented learning from universities in the USA will prepare you for this.

Now that you know that the U.S. is one of the best places to do your MS in Biotechnology, let’s figure out which are some of the best and popular institutions to do MS in Biotechnology in the USA.

Institutions in the USA for studying MS in Biotechnology

1.Duquesne University

The Master of Science in Biotechnology is just one among the several applied and pure science courses offered by Duquesne University. The M.S. in Biotechnology is a hybrid programme, which means, It can be taken online and has some on-campus elements.

The programme provides coursework in business ethics and leadership. Hence it does not limit your career options to life science only. You will learn about commercial research, medical devices and product development.

Requirements and fees

• An undergraduate degree in Biology or related subjects
• An IELTS score of 6.5. TOEFL score is also accepted.
• Tuition fees: The tuition fee is credit-based. Please check with our counsellors for more details.

2.Florida Institute of Technology

What Florida Tech offers is real-world learning experiences. The flexible degree programme with some required courses and several other course options. As part of the Master of Science in Biotechnology course, you will be learning topics like microbiology, bioinformatics, molecular biology and cell biology. Laboratory work and internships are also some of the opportunities that you get as part of the course.

Requirements and fees

• An undergraduate degree in Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry or equivalent.
• You should have studied organic chemistry, genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology and microbiology.
• An IELTS score of a minimum of 6.0.
• The tuition fee is around INR 28,0000 per year.

3.University at Buffalo, The State University of New York

One of the institutions that offer MS in Biotechnology in the USA is the University at Buffalo, The State University of New York. The course focuses on biotechnical and biomolecular sciences. You must work on a research project and submit a thesis as part of the course.

Requirements and fees

• Students from India have specific requirements which include a bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject from an accredited institution with a GPA or equivalent of 3.0. You can also submit your GRE scores for consideration.
• An IELTS score of a minimum of 6.5 is required.
• The tuition fee is around 17.7 lakh rupee per year.

4.University of Houston - Clear Lake

The University of Houston – Clear Lake offers 4 masters courses in Biotechnology which include Masters of Science in Biotechnology, Masters of Science in Biotechnology with specialisations in

• Bioinformatics/Computational Biology
• Biotechnology Management and Marketing or
• Molecular Biotechnology

Requirements and fees

The requirements and fees are similar for all 4 courses.

• You should have a relevant bachelors degree from an accredited institution
• An IELTS score of a minimum of 6.0 is expected from the applicants
• The tuition fee is around 14.3 lakhs per year.

Speak to our counsellors for more details on how to apply for these courses.

5.University of New Hampshire

The M.S. in Biotechnology: Industrial and Biomedical Sciences offered by the University of New Hampshire follows a skills-based training approach. They also provide learning opportunities with local companies. The laboratory practice and industry experience will add value during your job search. Students enrolled in full-time courses will be able to complete them within 18 months.  

Requirements and fees

• Applicants should have and also maintain a minimum GPA of 3.2.
• You should have completed a bachelor’s degree which has Biology, genetics and at least one semester of Organic Chemistry as part of the course
• A minimum IELTS score of 6.5 is also a must.

6.California State University San Marcos

The MS in Biotechnology course at the California State University San Marcos is a career-oriented course, preparing you for jobs in technology-related organisations. It is no wonder that communication skills, managerial skills and interpersonal skills are part of the skills that students will get to develop as part of the course. It is not a thesis-degree programme, but a rigorous ‘internship or Semester-in-Residence’ project is a part of the course. You will have support from an Advisory Committee that guide and evaluate each student. You should definitely check out California State University courses if you are looking for MS in Biotechnology in the USA.

Requirements and fees

• Requirements include a bachelors degree from an accredited institution with an overall GPA of a minimum of 2.5.
• You should have an overall IELTS score of a minimum of 6.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in the writing section and a minimum of 5.5 in all other sections.
• The total cost of the programme is around 24 lakhs.

If you are interested in applying for an MS in Biotechnology in the USA, you can reach out to our counsellors and they’ll be able to provide professional guidance.

7.Indiana University Bloomington

Indiana University Bloomington offers an M.S. in Biotechnology programme that also emphasizes on business and organizational skills. You will get to do one research project or complete an industrial internship for the successful completion of the course.

Requirements and fees

• Completion of a 4-year bachelor’s degree or a 3-year bachelor’s degree + 1 year of a master’s degree is necessary.
• IELTS score should be submitted directly to the university. Check with our counsellors for more details about the score requirements.
• The average tuition fee for a postgraduate course is around 21.5 lakhs per year. Please check with our experts or with the university for more accurate numbers.

8.University of Nevada, Reno

The University of Nevada is one of the institutions that offer MS in Biotechnology in the USA. If you are aiming for a PhD, the University of Nevada is the best place to get your masters degree in Biotechnology. The masters programme is a full-time programme and offers a one-year or two-year path to completion. At the end of the course, you’ll have the opportunity to give a research presentation at the Annual Biotechnology Symposium. You can also do a research poster presentation.

Requirements and fees

• As with every other institution, students should have a Bachelor of Science degree or a degree in any related field.
• You should have a cumulative GPA of a minimum of 3.0. You should also maintain this score while you study at Nevada.
• Students should have a minimum score of 6.5. in academic IELTS.
• The tuition fee is around 16 lakhs per year.

9.Pennsylvania State University Park Campus

Pennsylvania State University offers a masters degree course in Biotechnology which is a multidisciplinary programme. You will also be learning the business, legal and ethical aspects of Biotechnology as part of this course.

Requirements and fees

• You should have a degree in Biological Sciences, chemistry or engineering. This should be comparable with a 4-year degree in the USA. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required.
• You should also submit your GRE scores.
• An IELTS score of a minimum of 6.5 is required.

10.Northeastern University

Whether you are looking for a research-oriented career or a managerial role, the masters in Biotechnology offered by Northeastern University is one of the best courses to go for. You have the option to specialize in any of the topics like Process Science, Manufacturing and Quality Operations, Molecular Biotechnology, Biopharmaceutical Analytical Sciences and many more. You can also check out the different applied and pure science courses offered by Northeastern University.

Requirements and fees

• You should have a relevant bachelors degree or masters degree from an accredited college or university.
• The IELTS requirements will vary based on your course. Please get in touch with our counsellors for more details.
• The tuition fee is around 40 lakhs for the entire course.

There are more options out there for you to explore. Head to our site and check the list of institutions that offer a masters degree in Biotechnology in the USA. You can also make use of our Course Matcher tool to find out the course and institution that matches your scores and requirements. You just have to answer a few questions and it will take only minutes!

Alternatively, just sign up through the form and our experts will contact you to guide you to your dream study abroad destination.