Compare 15 Biomedical/Medical Engineering. programs in California. Average earnings: $78,902.
Biomedical/Medical Engineering programs produce graduates earning between $33,993 and $104,579—a $71K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 15 ranked programs in California, outcomes vary dramatically based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
At the top, University of Southern California produces Biomedical/Medical Engineering graduates earning $104,579, followed closely by Santa Clara University at $98,444 and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo at $97,977. The state average of $78,902 shows how California's public polytechnics compete directly with elite privates—program strength trumps school brand.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. UCLA achieves the lowest student payment burden at 2.6% with graduates borrowing just $14,000, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families, UC San Diego leads with an 8.0% family burden, proving the best financial choice depends on who's paying.
Highest program earnings: $104,579
Strong outcomes ($83,334) with 63% acceptance
2.6% payment burden | Excellent
8.0% family burden | Good
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $104,579 | 51 | $18,000 | Excellent | $31,803 | Good | |
| #2 | Santa Clara UniversityPrivate | $98,444 | 37 | $19,162 | Excellent | $56,271 | Manageable |
| #3 | $97,977 | 102 | $18,500 | Excellent | $35,000 | Good | |
| #4 | $97,038 | 66 | $14,000 | Excellent | $26,176 | Good | |
| #5 | $96,808 | 92 | $15,500 | Excellent | $24,257 | Good | |
| #6 | $84,254 | 116 | $13,000 | Excellent | $25,733 | Good | |
| #7 | $83,334 | 72 | $16,666 | Excellent | $28,682 | Good | |
| #8 | $82,806 | 120 | $15,000 | Excellent | $22,665 | Good | |
| #9 | $82,725 | 34 | $16,144 | Excellent | $18,376 | Good | |
| #10 | $80,773 | 76 | $17,500 | Excellent | $18,275 | Good | |
| #11 | $73,949 | 24 | $14,289 | Excellent | $15,177 | Good | |
| #12 | $63,005 | 86 | $13,000 | Excellent | $28,508 | Manageable | |
| #13 | $53,358 | 66 | $15,000 | Excellent | $20,820 | Manageable | |
| #14 | Stanford UniversityPrivate | $50,487 | 35 | $12,000 | Excellent | $38,333 | High |
| #15 | University Of The PacificPrivate | $33,993 | 20 | $19,500 | Challenging | $50,438 | High |
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 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
