MS Degree in Biostatistics | School of Public Health

A STEM-designated degree & concentration

Key points about the program

Access Our admissions are focused on creating a broad, diverse cohort of future biostatisticians.
Innovate Build skills in the latest techniques in health data analytics.
Location Learn in the heart of the Illinois Medical District and build connections for future employment.

About the program

The field of biostatistics combines the hard data analysis found in STEM fields to the real-world problems of public health. From the efforts to decrease the impact of chronic illness to investigating toxic environmental exposures or stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS, biostatisticians are creating complex and effective statistical models to chart public health’s path forward.

At the UIC School of Public Health, our MS degree in Biostatistics is designed to be accessible to students with diverse backgrounds. An additional concentration in health data science is also offered. Courses are tailored for students whose undergraduate study includes courses through Calculus II. Machine-learning and big data courses prepare students for today’s rapidly evolving job market. With our location in the Illinois Medical District, you can build connections to Chicagoland’s large network of hospitals and pharmaceutical companies through real-life data opportunities for students, in both teaching and RA opportunities.

At a Glance: In-State

Completion Time 2 years

Credit Hours 46

Tuition As low as $38,900

Course Delivery Onsite

Degree Deadlines Application Info

At a Glance: Out-of-State

Completion Time 2 years

Credit Hours 46

Tuition As low as $65,000

Course Delivery Onsite

Degree Deadlines Application Info

C2A

Meet Our Students and Alumni

I chose UIC because it offered the ideal combination of a strong curriculum, research opportunities, and accessibility for international students. The program’s updated and practical coursework made it clear that it would prepare me well for a technical career in the U.S. job market. UIC exceeded my expectations, it offered the structure I wanted, along with hands-on experience that is essential in today’s industry.

Rafael Añorga | MS '24

UIC School of Public Health is centered in the Chicago medical district, which is one of the nation’s leading medical research centers. As a biostatistician, this is a very exciting prospect because there is so much innovative and exciting research being conducted just down the street. At UIC, I get to participate in the type of research that made me want to be a biostatistician during [my studies] not just after. The Biostatistics professors at UIC are also fantastic. Our program is small, so we get really individualized mentorship from the professors which is rare.

Ryan Zomorrodi | BS '23, MS in Biostatistics Student

The UIC biostatistics MS program helped me prepare for this position by giving me a thorough education in statistical theory and methods, as well as offering interesting courses such as Health Analytics, where I was able to learn about the applications of machine learning methods to healthcare data. I apply these skills directly to my work on a daily basis and am thankful for the high quality education I received from my UIC professors.

Kushi Chhangani | MS '20

Who is a good fit for this program?

As long as you are interested in using quantitative skill in the fields of health and medical fields, the MS in Biostatistics will provide you with solid training, regardless of your skill level in quantitative sciences.

Students interested in a career in biostatistics

Immerse in cutting-edge data analysis that prepares you for both careers and PhD programs.
Students interested in quantitative sciences

Develop your quantitative skills in the fields of public health, health data analytics and pharmacy science, where your work will have a tangible impact on health outcomes for people locally and globally.
Students interested in public health

Build on your understanding of social determinants of health and population health with a deep dive into the data science that provides the backing of public health. Students may need to complete an introductory calculus course at the start of the program.

Chicago's only public research university

The University of Illinois Chicago is a Carnegie 1 research institution and one of the nation’s top federally funded public research universities. The Wall Street Journal highlights UIC as Illinois’ only university ranked ‘Best Value’ in the nation.

UI Heath is UIC’s academic health enterprise, with a 465-bed hospital, 21 outpatient clinics and 11 federally qualified health centers, all in pursuit of health equity.

Learn more

Meet the Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Professional opportunities for biostatisticians in Chicago

Illinois Medical District

Students build connections and engage in real-world problem solving involving the public and private medical centers that make up the nation’s largest urban medical district.