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Best Value Biomedical/Medical Engineering Colleges

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

CUNY City College delivers biomedical engineering education at a net price of just $3,486, making it the most affordable program on this list while serving students in New York's massive medical device industry. The earnings gap tells an interesting story: graduates from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Cal State Long Beach earn over $73,000 annually, nearly matching top-tier research universities despite lower program costs. Georgia Tech maintains its engineering reputation with a 92.3% graduation rate and $68,305 average earnings, though its 17.13% acceptance rate reflects fierce competition. The biomedical engineering field benefits significantly from proximity to major medical centers and device manufacturers, particularly along the East and West coasts where many of these programs cluster. Students can expect strong return on investment across this range, with even the highest net cost of $15,624 at Cal Poly leading to substantial career earning potential in a field projected to grow 5% through 2031.
50
Programs
$3,486 – $20,924
Net Price Range
$58,060
Avg. Program Earnings
72.8%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Biomedical/Medical Engineering Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $3,486 $31,839 $7,340 54.7% 66.6%
2 $8,931 $73,949 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
3 $10,904 $77,401 $14,944 56.6% 54.1%
4 $8,896 $58,866 $17,462 59.5% 97.9%
5 $9,133 $56,776 $6,565 73.9% 63.9%
6 $11,408 $63,005 $10,449 53.9% 82.9%
7 $13,289 $68,305 $11,764 92.3% 17.1%
8 $11,504 $58,866 $17,462 56.7% 97.4%
9 $15,201 $74,576 $16,004 84.9% 44.8%
10 $14,832 $71,015 $17,228 93.2% 17.7%
11 $11,750 $55,964 $15,265 87.6% 23.7%
12 $15,624 $73,635 $11,075 85.2% 30.4%
13 $13,945 $63,997 $9,992 83.1% 52.7%
14 $10,319 $46,769 $6,118 56.0% 74.4%
15 $13,339 $58,866 $17,452 65.4% 97.3%
16 $14,013 $61,020 $13,747 92.7% 8.6%
17 $12,313 $53,358 $14,338 60.3% 78.7%
18 $15,729 $66,461 $18,392 68.7% 93.7%
19 $14,979 $63,005 $14,850 92.9% 11.3%
20 $14,059 $58,866 $17,472 56.9% 92.2%
21 $12,640 $52,107 $58,128 95.7% 8.7%
22 $13,172 $54,035 $9,315 63.9% 89.1%
23 $18,161 $72,509 $63,340 94.6% 7.3%
24 $13,670 $53,775 $12,051 67.8% 89.8%
25 $13,741 $53,358 $7,992 64.7% 76.7%
26 $17,139 $64,990 $16,488 84.8% 74.9%
27 $18,287 $69,338 $13,815 69.3% 90.0%
28 $12,840 $48,432 $14,237 86.0% 21.2%
29 $19,040 $70,680 $63,946 92.7% 6.7%
30 $16,496 $60,771 $19,022 73.1% 66.0%
31 $17,460 $63,501 $12,377 55.6% 92.2%
32 $13,707 $49,214 $14,170 76.6% 68.7%
33 $15,960 $55,964 $13,626 65.9% 86.8%
34 $14,981 $52,420 $12,799 48.2% 82.9%
35 $19,678 $68,778 $11,678 87.6% 31.4%
36 $13,253 $46,087 $10,344 49.4% 94.6%
37 $16,931 $56,415 $16,080 78.8% 73.8%
38 $15,288 $50,856 $15,247 85.1% 37.3%
39 $16,928 $55,964 $11,205 89.3% 49.1%
40 $16,931 $55,964 $8,895 84.6% 47.2%
41 $20,332 $67,101 $12,896 66.9% 90.8%
42 $20,924 $68,918 $13,099 83.8% 62.7%
43 $15,216 $48,667 $11,188 45.9% 95.2%
44 $12,744 $39,729 $14,167 69.1% 89.5%
45 $19,899 $61,814 $16,408 71.0% 76.4%
46 $14,401 $42,682 $12,997 61.6% 83.1%
47 $13,485 $39,927 $12,643 83.7% 47.5%
48 $18,109 $53,358 $13,484 73.5% 68.4%
49 $16,607 $48,823 $14,560 74.5% 46.9%
50 $13,776 $40,281 $9,322 51.4% 94.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes CUNY City College such an strong value for biomedical engineering?

CUNY City College offers the lowest net cost at $3,486 annually while placing graduates in New York's thriving medical technology sector. The program benefits from proximity to major hospitals and research institutions throughout the metropolitan area. Though graduate earnings average $31,839, the minimal debt burden allows students to pursue advanced degrees or specialized training without significant financial pressure.

How do graduation rates vary among these biomedical engineering programs?

Graduation rates span from 53.9% at Indiana University-Indianapolis to 93.2% at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. Georgia Tech leads public programs with 92.3% completion, while maintaining highly selective 17.13% admissions. Programs with higher acceptance rates like University of Connecticut campuses (97%+) show more variable completion rates, typically ranging from 56% to 65%.

Is the earnings difference between schools worth considering program cost?

California schools demonstrate strong earning potential with Cal State Long Beach and Cal Poly graduates averaging over $73,000 annually. University of Michigan-Dearborn produces the highest earners at $77,401 despite moderate program costs. The earnings gap between programs can exceed $40,000 annually, often justifying slightly higher tuition costs for better career outcomes.

Does acceptance rate correlate with program quality in biomedical engineering?

Highly selective programs like Georgia Tech (17.13%) and UC San Diego (23.71%) typically show stronger graduation rates and graduate earnings. However, University of Connecticut campuses maintain 97%+ acceptance rates while still producing graduates earning nearly $59,000 annually. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo balances selectivity (30.43% acceptance) with excellent outcomes including $73,635 average earnings.

Where do biomedical engineering graduates find the best job markets?

California and Michigan programs consistently produce high earners, reflecting strong regional medical device industries and research opportunities. Programs near major metropolitan areas like Atlanta (Georgia Tech) and San Diego (UC San Diego) benefit from proximity to biotechnology companies and medical centers. Florida programs offer lower costs but also lower initial earnings, though the state's growing healthcare sector provides expanding opportunities.

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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.