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Biomedical/Medical Engineering Colleges Under $20,000

Programs with net price under $20,000. See our methodology.

The gap between earning potential and program cost in biomedical/medical engineering reaches its widest point at public universities, where graduates from University of Michigan-Dearborn earn $77,401 annually despite paying just $10,904 in net costs. This 7:1 return ratio highlights how strategic school selection can maximize career investment in a field where medical device companies, pharmaceutical firms, and research hospitals increasingly compete for talent across all regions. CUNY City College offers the most affordable entry point at $3,486 net cost, while University of California-San Diego delivers an 87.6% graduation rate for students paying $11,750. The 20-school national market reveals acceptance rates spanning from Florida State's selective 25.04% to nearly open-access programs exceeding 95%, giving students multiple pathways into a profession where biomedical engineers design everything from artificial hearts to diagnostic imaging systems that serve communities nationwide.
50
Programs
$3,486 – $15,288
Net Price Range
$55,250
Avg. Program Earnings
67.2%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Biomedical/Medical Engineering Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $3,486 $7,340 54.7% 66.6%
2 $6,351 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
3 $8,327 $8,942 48.7% 96.9%
4 $8,896 $17,462 59.5% 97.9%
5 $8,931 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
6 $9,133 $6,565 73.9% 63.9%
7 $10,043 $6,410 74.6% 43.9%
8 $10,319 $6,118 56.0% 74.4%
9 $10,904 $14,944 56.6% 54.1%
10 $10,980 $6,748 55.3% 56.4%
11 $10,997 $5,656 83.0% 25.0%
12 $11,234 $8,991 51.2% 86.9%
13 $11,408 $10,449 53.9% 82.9%
14 $11,504 $17,462 56.7% 97.4%
15 $11,750 $15,265 87.6% 23.7%
16 $12,136 $62,484 92.8% 3.7%
17 $12,209 $10,125 57.6% 62.4%
18 $12,313 $14,338 60.3% 78.7%
19 $12,640 $58,128 95.7% 8.7%
20 $12,744 $14,167 69.1% 89.5%
21 $12,840 $14,237 86.0% 21.2%
22 $12,909 $12,700 49.6% 70.7%
23 $12,983 $8,989 92.1% 17.1%
24 $12,997 $9,648 61.2% 88.4%
25 $13,164 $9,412 68.5% 97.4%
26 $13,172 $9,315 63.9% 89.1%
27 $13,253 $10,344 49.4% 94.6%
28 $13,289 $11,764 92.3% 17.1%
29 $13,339 $17,452 65.4% 97.3%
30 $13,485 $12,643 83.7% 47.5%
31 $13,670 $12,051 67.8% 89.8%
32 $13,707 $14,170 76.6% 68.7%
33 $13,741 $7,992 64.7% 76.7%
34 $13,776 $9,322 51.4% 94.9%
35 $13,853 $9,711 64.9% 66.2%
36 $13,889 $11,248 30.2% 96.6%
37 $13,945 $9,992 83.1% 52.7%
38 $14,013 $13,747 92.7% 8.6%
39 $14,059 $17,472 56.9% 92.2%
40 $14,352 $11,164 59.6% 79.1%
41 $14,401 $12,997 61.6% 83.1%
42 $14,693 $6,152 26.3%
43 $14,773 $14,297 56.5% 75.3%
44 $14,832 $17,228 93.2% 17.7%
45 $14,979 $14,850 92.9% 11.3%
46 $14,981 $12,799 48.2% 82.9%
47 $15,201 $16,004 84.9% 44.8%
48 $15,216 $11,188 45.9% 95.2%
49 $15,235 $11,728 56.5% 80.8%
50 $15,288 $15,247 85.1% 37.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $74,000 earning difference between the highest and lowest-paid biomedical engineering graduates?

University of Michigan-Dearborn graduates earn $77,401 compared to CUNY City College's $31,839, reflecting regional job markets and program focus areas. Michigan's proximity to automotive medical device manufacturers and established engineering companies creates higher-paying opportunities. The $45,562 gap also reflects differences in cost of living, with Michigan graduates often working in Detroit's growing medical technology sector while New York graduates may start in entry-level positions before advancing.

How do graduation rates vary among affordable biomedical engineering programs?

Graduation rates range from Marshall University's 48.7% to University of California-San Diego's 87.6%, showing significant variation even within the same price range. University of Florida achieves 91.5% graduation rates while maintaining a $6,351 net cost, proving affordability doesn't compromise completion. The 42.8 percentage point spread suggests that student support services and academic rigor vary considerably among programs under $20,000.

Is geographic location a factor in biomedical engineering program affordability?

Florida dominates affordable options with five programs under $12,000, including University of Florida at $6,351 and Florida International University at $9,133. California and New York each offer compelling value propositions, with Cal State Long Beach graduates earning $73,949 for $8,931 in costs. Texas and North Carolina provide additional regional diversity, ensuring students can find quality programs without relocating far from home.

Does program selectivity correlate with post-graduation earnings in biomedical engineering?

The most selective programs don't always produce the highest earners in this affordable category. University of Florida accepts just 23.35% of applicants but graduates earn less than Cal State Long Beach alumni, which accepts 39.95%. However, UC San Diego combines selectivity (23.71% acceptance) with strong earnings ($55,964), while open-access programs like Marshall University show lower completion and earning outcomes.

Where can students find the best debt-to-earnings ratio in affordable biomedical engineering?

Cal State Long Beach offers the strongest financial return with $73,949 earnings against $15,500 average debt, creating a 4.8:1 ratio. University of Connecticut-Waterbury provides $58,866 earnings for $25,000 debt, while Florida International University balances $56,776 earnings with $19,500 debt. These ratios significantly outperform the national average for engineering programs, making biomedical engineering financially accessible.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.