Compare 125 Biomedical/Medical Engineering. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $90,282. Top programs: $126,419+.
Biomedical/Medical Engineering programs produce graduates earning between $31,133 and $126,419—a $95K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 125 ranked programs nationally, outcomes vary dramatically based on program quality, not institutional reputation. The data is clear: picking the right program matters far more than picking the right-sounding school name.
Topping the list, the University of Pennsylvania's Biomedical Engineering program delivers $126,419 in median earnings—well above the $90,282 average across all 125 programs. Rice University ($121,099) and UCLA ($116,525) round out the upper tier, with UCLA's public-school price tag making it a standout. [Learn how to evaluate programs beyond school prestige →](https://collegeazimuth.com/blog/how-to-evaluate-programs)
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Rice University graduates borrow just $11,000 in student loans and face a 1.5% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' affordability tier. For families accounting for parent loans, California State University-Long Beach leads with a 5.2% family burden—also 'Excellent'—proving that strong $106,540 earnings can come with surprisingly low debt.
Highest program earnings: $126,419
Strong outcomes ($106,048) with 81% acceptance
1.5% payment burden | Excellent
5.2% family burden | Excellent
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University Of PennsylvaniaPrivate | $126,419 | 53 | $15,715 | Excellent | $33,124 | Excellent |
| #2 | Rice UniversityPrivate | $121,099 | 34 | $11,000 | Excellent | $35,338 | Excellent |
| #3 | Vanderbilt UniversityPrivate | $116,662 | 50 | $14,000 | Excellent | $30,844 | Excellent |
| #4 | $116,525 | 64 | $14,000 | Excellent | $26,176 | Excellent | |
| #5 | Johns Hopkins UniversityPrivate | $114,673 | 100 | $10,250 | Excellent | $29,048 | Excellent |
| #6 | Santa Clara UniversityPrivate | $114,426 | 21 | $19,162 | Excellent | $56,271 | Manageable |
| #7 | $112,914 | 32 | $20,500 | Excellent | $33,574 | Good | |
| #8 | $111,738 | 47 | $14,768 | Excellent | $42,501 | Good | |
| #9 | $110,597 | 94 | $13,000 | Excellent | $28,508 | Excellent | |
| #10 | Carnegie Mellon UniversityPrivate | $109,648 | 65 | $21,750 | Excellent | $37,130 | Good |
| #11 | $109,551 | 127 | $17,500 | Excellent | $28,903 | Excellent | |
| #12 | $109,232 | 104 | $18,500 | Excellent | $35,000 | Good | |
| #13 | $106,540 | 40 | $14,289 | Excellent | $15,177 | Excellent | |
| #14 | Lehigh UniversityPrivate | $106,260 | 53 | $21,960 | Excellent | $42,245 | Good |
| #15 | Wayne State UniversityPublic | $106,048 | 18 | $21,250 | Excellent | $16,378 | Excellent |
| #16 | Duke UniversityPrivate | $105,921 | 67 | $13,000 | Excellent | $27,998 | Excellent |
| #17 | $105,415 | 56 | $18,000 | Excellent | $31,803 | Good | |
| #18 | $103,306 | 70 | $23,750 | Excellent | $52,241 | Manageable | |
| #19 | Northwestern UniversityPrivate | $102,994 | 43 | $15,000 | Excellent | $26,966 | Excellent |
| #20 | $102,755 | 278 | $21,672 | Excellent | $32,216 | Good | |
| #21 | $102,544 | 118 | $20,500 | Excellent | $26,632 | Good | |
| #22 | $102,342 | 103 | $19,500 | Excellent | $30,250 | Good | |
| #23 | Drexel UniversityPrivate | $101,362 | 100 | $25,325 | Excellent | $40,932 | Manageable |
| #24 | University Of DelawarePublic | $101,175 | 72 | $24,572 | Excellent | $43,000 | Manageable |
| #25 | Temple UniversityPublic | $101,101 | 60 | $24,395 | Excellent | $36,495 | Good |
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 →
