Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering.
Data details: Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity, and summary are for this specific degree (6-digit CIP) from IPEDS. Salary, debt, and related financial outcomes are based on the degree category (4-digit CIP) from the College Scorecard API. ← Back to search
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Debt to Income Ratio
Why Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering. stands out: With a debt-to-income ratio of just 38.7%, graduates of this program typically enjoy manageable student loan payments compared to their first-year earnings. This low ratio means that, on average, students who complete Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering. can expect to pay off their student debt faster and with less financial stress than most other fields. Programs with a DTI below 0.5 are considered excellent by financial experts, making this degree a smart investment for your future.
For example, with a median salary of $59417 and average student debt of $22978, the financial outlook for Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering. graduates is especially strong in .
Key Insights
Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering. is a program that attracts motivated students who want to make an impact. Starting pay for new grads is typically $59417, and with an average debt of $22978, the debt-to-income ratio comes in at 0.39—meaning you’ll have lots of flexibility after graduation.
This program sees about 14006 graduates annually, so you’ll be joining a well-established network. A common next step is a career as a Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers, which is expected to see 5.0% growth. Whether you’re aiming for a high-paying job, a stable career, or a chance to make an impact, Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering. is a great foundation. Remember, your journey is shaped by the opportunities you pursue—so get involved and stay curious!
Degree Overview
Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering (CIP 14.0501) is a cutting-edge field that fuses engineering principles with biological sciences to advance healthcare and medical technology. While a biologist studies the "why" of living organisms, a biomedical engineer focuses on the "how"—designing the artificial organs, robotic prosthetics, diagnostic imaging systems, and gene-editing tools that save lives. It is a path for "medical innovators" who want to solve human health problems through the lens of physics, chemistry, and mathematics.
This field is ideal for "human-centric engineers"—individuals who want the technical challenge of engineering but are driven by a deep desire to improve the quality of human life.
What Is a Bioengineering/Biomedical Engineering Degree?
A degree in this category is one of the most rigorous STEM paths available. It focuses on the interface between machines and biology. You will study how to engineer materials that the human body won't reject, how to program software that can detect cancer in an MRI, and how to design mechanical devices that can mimic the function of a human heart. It is a highly interdisciplinary major that sits at the center of a "triple threat": Engineering, Medicine, and Biology.
Schools offer this degree to:
- Train "Device Engineers" for the massive medical technology (MedTech) industry
- Develop experts in Tissue Engineering who aim to grow replacement skin or organs in a lab
- Prepare professionals for Neural Engineering—creating interfaces between the brain and external computers
- Study Biomechanics to optimize the performance of artificial joints and athletic equipment
What Will You Learn?
Students learn that the human body is the most complex engineering system in existence, and repairing it requires an understanding of electrical signals, fluid dynamics, and molecular chemistry.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Most students learn to:
- Master Signal Processing to interpret electrical data from the heart (EKG) or brain (EEG)
- Use "Finite Element Analysis" (FEA) to test how medical implants handle physical stress
- Design Microfluidic Devices (lab-on-a-chip) for rapid disease testing
- Perform "Biocompatibility Testing" to ensure materials are safe for internal use
- Utilize CAD (Computer-Aided Design) to create 3D-printed custom prosthetics
- Understand FDA Regulatory Affairs—the legal path to getting a medical device approved for patients
Topics You May Explore
Coursework is a dense blend of advanced mathematics and medical science:
- Biomaterials: The study of synthetic and natural materials used in implants and sutures.
- Bioinstrumentation: Learning how to design the electronics used in sensors and surgical tools.
- Systems Physiology: Understanding the "engineering" of the human respiratory, circulatory, and nervous systems.
- Molecular Bioengineering: Engineering at the cellular level for drug delivery or genetic modification.
- Medical Imaging: The physics behind X-ray, Ultrasound, CT, and MRI technology.
- Kinematics: Analyzing human movement to design better rehabilitation robots.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
Graduates find roles in research labs, hospitals, and the global pharmaceutical and device industries.
Common job roles include:
- Biomedical Engineer: Designing and testing new medical equipment and surgical devices.
- Rehabilitation Engineer: Creating technology to help people with disabilities regain mobility.
- Clinical Engineer: Working inside hospitals to manage and optimize complex medical technology.
- Product Developer: Taking a new medical invention from a lab prototype to a finished product.
- Patent Agent: Helping inventors protect new medical technologies through legal frameworks.
- Bioinformatics Analyst: Using data science to analyze massive sets of biological or genetic information.
Where Can You Work?
Biomedical specialists work where high-tech innovation meets patient care:
- Medical Device Corporations: Giants like Medtronic, Abbott, Johnson & Johnson, or Stryker.
- Research Universities and Hospitals: Developing experimental treatments and new technologies.
- Pharmaceutical Companies: Engineering systems for large-scale drug production and delivery.
- Government Agencies: The FDA (regulatory) or the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
- Startups: Designing the next generation of wearable health tech or gene-editing platforms.
How Much Can You Earn?
Because of the high level of specialization and the booming healthcare sector, salaries are excellent.
- Biomedical Engineers: Median annual salary of approximately $95,000–$115,000.
- Senior Research Scientists: Salaries typically range from $110,000 to $160,000+.
- Regulatory Affairs Specialists: Median annual salary of around $85,000–$110,000.
- Entry-Level Junior Engineers: Often start between $72,000 and $88,000.
Is This Degree Hard?
The difficulty is in the extreme academic breadth. You must be a "double expert"—you have to be as good at Differential Equations and Physics as a mechanical engineer, but as good at Organic Chemistry and Anatomy as a pre-med student. It is widely considered one of the most challenging undergraduate majors. It requires an "analytical mind" and a high tolerance for complex, multi-layered problem solving.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
This degree may be a good fit if you:
- Are torn between a career in "Engineering" and a career in "Medicine"
- Love the idea of using math and machines to save lives
- Want to be at the forefront of the "Cyborg" era—integrating tech with the body
- Are a "lifelong learner" who can keep up with rapid changes in both tech and biology
- Are comfortable with high-stakes environments where precision is a matter of life or death
How to Prepare in High School
- Take the most advanced classes in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Calculus
- Join a robotics team or a "Science Olympiad" team
- Learn programming languages like Python or MATLAB; data is a huge part of this field
- Volunteer at a hospital or clinic to see how medical technology is used in real life
- Participate in a MakerSpace to learn 3D printing and basic electronics
The ability to apply the precision of engineering to the complexity of human life is the hallmark of a successful bioengineering professional.
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
Official assessment tool by the U.S. Department of Labor