Masters in Biotechnology in USA: Top Universities, Admissions, Deadlines 2024-25, Fees & Job Opportunities

Highlights

• Top Universities: Some of the top universities for MS in Biotech in USA, popular among Indian students are Johns Hopkins, Harvard, Columbia University, and Brown University.
• Standardized Test: Indian students can also pursue Masters in biotechnology in the USA without GRE in some universities (Brown University, Northwestern University, etc)
• Tuition Fees: The tuition fees for masters of biotechnology in the USA range from 35,410 to 87,950 USD (29.57 to 73.44 lakhs INR).
• Growth in Career Opportunities: Employment in the biotechnology sector in the USA is projected to grow by 9% from 2021 to 2031.
• Top Employers: Masters in biotechnology in the USA opens professional opportunities in globally leading companies like Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Amgen among others.

Masters in Biotechnology in USA is a 2-year graduate degree program popular among Indian students due to its extensive curriculum and great placement opportunities. It is a research-driven program covering courses like genetics, molecular biology, and more. For admission to MS in biotechnology in USA across the top universities, you need:

• A bachelor's degree in a relevant field (Physics, Chemistry, Molecular Biology, Mathematics, Engineering) with an aggregate of 85% or above
• GRE: 320 | GMAT: 600
• IELTS: 7.0 | TOEFL: 100

The tuition fees for masters of biotechnology in the USA range between 35,410 and 87,950 USD (29.57 to 73.44 lakhs INR). An upcoming interdisciplinary field, employment in biotechnology is projected to grow by 7% in the USA by 2031—signaling further increase in career opportunities for masters in biotechnology in USA graduates. Some popular companies offering employment in the biotechnology field in the USA are, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Amgen, and Roche.

Master’s in Biotechnology in the USA ensures a high ROI, with graduates earning a mid-career salary of 127,000 USD (1.06 crore INR). Indian students choose to go for biotechnology in the USA as it provides greater employability than Indian institutes in the field. If you are planning to return to India after your degree, you can take the Biotech Consortium India Limited (BCIL) exam to be eligible to participate in the Biotech Industrial Training Programme (BITP).

Top Universities for Masters in Biotechnology in USA

Some of the best universities for masters in Biotechnology in USA for Indian students based on the quality of education include:

These colleges are high-ranking and provide quality education, state-of-the-art infrastructure and industry exposure to students. The industry-academia integration in the field of biotech, ie, universities doubling as research centres for core private biotech companies, produce skilled and employable graduates—an aspect sorely missing in the Indian biotech industry.

Why Study Masters in Biotechnology in USA?

Masters in Biotechnology in USA is a much sought-after course, and some of the reasons for this are listed below:

• The USA has the most high-ranking universities in the world, and top universities for biotechnology programs, like Harvard and Johns Hopkins, are also predominantly in the US.
• There has been a 19% increase in Indian students choosing the US for higher education, owing to its quality of education and policies like 24 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT). Biotechnology graduates use the time to look for opportunities within the industry that align with their research interests.
• The job outlook for biotech graduates is bright, with employment projected to grow by 7% from 2021 to 2031, outpacing the average growth rate for all occupations.
• An average of 12,200 new jobs in the USA for biotech professionals are expected to arise annually during this decade.

The anticipated growth of market size in biotechnology field in USA is provided in the following infographic:

Although the prospects are great upon graduation, a master’s in biotechnology in USA is a highly competitive program to get into—meeting the admission requirements may not cut it. A strong application and academic profile can help improve your chances, but it is better to have backup options ready through smart-university shortlisting.

Masters in Biotechnology in USA Course Curriculum

The most common course modules across universities for masters in biotechnology in USA include:

• Enzymes and mechanisms
• Cellular energetics and thermodynamics
• Microbial kinetics
• Bioinformatics
• Biotechnology Enterprise
• Molecular Targets and Drug Discovery
• Regenerative and Stem Cell Technologies

MS in Biotechnology in USA Specializations

Biotechnology has distinct specializations for pursuing master’s degree programs. Some of these are:

• Food Biotechnology
• Medical Biotechnology
• Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology
• Biotechnology Enterprise
• Bioinformatics
• Biodefense
• Regenerative and Stem Cell Technologies
• Regulatory Science

MS in Biotechnology in USA Admissions

The intake seasons for masters in biotechnology in USA are summer (starts around May), fall (starts in August) and winter (Starts in January). The entire application process is usually 6-8 months, but it can take up to a year. It is recommended to submit your application at least six months before the beginning of the semester, and the visa application also takes about 3-4 weeks.

For admission to MS in biotechnology in the USA, a GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 (85%) or above is required. Some universities might ask for a competitive GMAT or GRE score, but it is optional in most cases.

Detailed admission requirements are given below.

The top 5 universities for masters in biotechnology in USA along with their admission requirements are provided in the table below.

Step-by-step Application Process

The application process for masters in biotechnology in USA is online, through university websites. These are the steps:

1. Visit the university website/application link.
2. Follow the instructions for creating a user account, then begin providing information required by the application.
3. When prompted what program you’re applying to, select “Biotechnology MS“.
4. Continue adding and uploading information as prompted.

MS Biotechnology in USA without GRE

A GRE score of overall 320 is required for admission to MS in Biotechnology in USA. However, there are a number of top universities in USA for masters in biotechnology that do not mandate submission of GRE scores for admission. Some of these are:

• Brown University
• Northwestern University
• Georgetown University
• The University of Illinois at Chicago (GRE not required with substantial work experience in the course-related field)

These universities waive off the GRE requirements on condition that you meet one of the following criteria:

• Maintain an exceptional academic history.
• Have undertaken or participated in relevant research work.
• Exhibit considerable work experience in industries related to the discipline.

US Student Visa Application

To pursue MS in Biotechnology in the USA, you will need a F1 visa in the USA. The documents required to secure a US student visa are as follows:

• Academic transcripts and marksheets in English
• Form DS-160 confirmation page
• SEVIS fee payment receipt
• Valid passport
• Your recent photo
• Standardized test scores
• Proof of availability of finances
• Proof of intent to leave USA after education
• Form I-20, signed by you and an official of the SEVP-approved school

Cost of Studying Masters in Biotechnology in USA

The tuition fees for masters in biotechnology in the USA in the top universities range between 35,410 to 87,950 USD (29.57 to 73.44 lakhs INR). Check out the tuition fees for MS in Biotechnology in USA across some top universities:

Cost of Living in USA

When it comes to living expenses in the USA, accommodation takes up the majority of costs. The cost of living in US can be managed through shared living, in dorms, private accommodations, or shared rooms, as rent is the major expense for Indian students in the USA. A breakdown of the estimated cost of living in USA as an international student is provided below:

Tip: You can also look for a research assistantship or research associate position to ease your financial burden and build your resume.

Scholarships for MS in Biotechnology in USA

The USA is one of the most expensive places for Indian students to live in, but there are loans and scholarships that can help. The scholarships in USA available for Indian students are presented in the table below.

Scholarships are hard to get and highly competitive, but a strong student profile and a great scholarship essay can certainly improve your chances.

MS in Biotechnology in USA: Career Opportunities

On average, pharmaceutical and biotechnology professionals in the USA earn a salary of 127,000 USD (1.06 crore INR) per annum. Salaries in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals fields in the USA range between 63,400 to 226,000 USD (52.93 lakhs to 1.88 crore INR) per annum at different stages of career.

The average salary of biotechnology professionals in USA by respective states is provided below.

MS in Biotechnology in USA: Job Opportunities

After the course, you can take the Biotech Consortium India Limited (BCIL) exam to be eligible to participate in the Biotech Industrial Training Programme (BITP). The program helps bridge the gap between academic knowledge and industry requirements, so you can gain a competitive edge in the Indian biotech job market.

The top companies employing graduates of biotechnology in the USA are Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Amgen, Roche, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, AbbVie, and Merck among others. Some high-paying professions in USA, pursued after MS in biotechnology and their corresponding average salaries are as follows:

The job opportunities in the USA are hardly scarce, but the market is highly competitive. These are some points to keep in mind when looking for employment after graduation:

1. Always choose a college on the basis of the specific course it offers. Look up QS/THE subject rankings to get an idea.
2. The importance of networking cannot be overstated. Look up Indian alumni of the university and get in touch with them.
3. Do your homework—thoroughly research the university, the program it offers, the faculty, etc.
4. Check out Boston-based companies, as it is the hub of biotechnology in USA.

USA Work Permit Application

Once you complete your studies in the USA, you need to change your F1 visa status to stay and work in the USA. There are various work visas in the USA, namely, H1B, O, I, L among others. Getting a visa sponsor after MS might prove to be a challenge—as you’ll have to find an employer willing to apply to USCIS for a visa and register you for H1B, which is a lot to do unless they find you that good. To secure a post study work visa in USA, you need the following documents:

• University acceptance letter and all academic documents (Transcripts)
• Valid passport
• Complete address
• Migration, provisional, character, and birth certificates
• Bank transaction of last 6 months and balance certificate as proof of finance availability

Remember, the immigration officer might ask for additional documents (like immunization records) to issue your visa.

Masters in Biotechnology in USA Return on Investment

A comparison between the tuition fees for Masters in Biotechnology in the universities in USA and the average salary earned by the graduates is provided in the following table:

Pursuing an MS in Biotechnology in the USA is a highly desirable option to advance a career in a dynamic and fast-growing field. The popular job roles after the course for Indian students include -

• Biomedical Engineer
• Biochemist
• Biomedical scientist
• Medical laboratory scientist
• Microbiologist

With the increasing demand for biotechnology professionals, MS in Biotechnology in the USA opens doors to numerous career opportunities. The tuition fees for the program range from 35,410 to 87,950 USD (29.57 to 73.44 lakhs INR), and the average annual salary is about 127,000 USD (1.06 crore INR), reflecting an excellent ROI.

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