Compare 9 Biological/Biosystems Engineering. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $82,921. Top programs: $111,677+.
Biological/Biosystems Engineering programs produce graduates earning between $57,000 and $112,000—a $55K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 9 ranked programs, outcomes vary substantially based on program quality, not institutional reputation. The difference between the top and bottom program represents a career-defining gap.
Topping the list, UC San Diego's Biological/Biosystems Engineering program delivers $112K in median earnings—well above the $83K field average. Meanwhile, the University of Georgia ranks second at $93K and the University of Florida third at $90K, both public universities outperforming many better-known institutions. The rankings follow program outcomes, not school name recognition.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. UC San Diego graduates borrow $15,500 and face just a 2.4% student payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. Even when parent loans are included, the family burden holds at 6.7%—still Excellent. For families weighing total cost, that's a strong signal. Learn how to evaluate programs beyond school prestige →: https://collegeazimuth.com/blog/how-to-evaluate-programs
Highest program earnings: $111,677
Strong outcomes ($89,799) with 61% acceptance
2.4% payment burden | Excellent
6.7% family burden | Excellent
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $111,677 | 20 | $15,500 | Excellent | $24,257 | Excellent | |
| #2 | University Of GeorgiaPublic | $93,156 | 59 | $18,500 | Excellent | $20,855 | Good |
| #3 | University Of FloridaPublic | $89,799 | 17 | $15,000 | Excellent | $18,837 | Excellent |
| #4 | $86,844 | 14 | $20,500 | Excellent | $32,529 | Manageable | |
| #5 | University Of ArizonaPublic | $80,732 | 19 | $19,620 | Excellent | $30,126 | Manageable |
| #6 | $76,741 | 46 | $21,000 | Excellent | $25,798 | Manageable | |
| #7 | University Of ArkansasPublic | $75,596 | 40 | $21,500 | Excellent | $28,086 | Manageable |
| #8 | Auburn UniversityPublic | $74,411 | 40 | $21,000 | Excellent | $43,605 | Challenging |
| #9 | Oakland UniversityPublic | $57,337 | 20 | — | — | — | — |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
