Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Biomedical Engineering

1. Michigan Technological University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$17134	74%	70%	96%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

2. Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$12682	21%	90%	69%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

3. University of Iowa

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$9606	83%	72%	85%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

4. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$9943	28%	82%	63%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

5. New Jersey Institute of Technology

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$17674	73%	67%	92%	Yes	Yes	AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits

6. North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$9101	45%	82%	68%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

7. University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$14358	75%	59%	98%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

8. University of Akron Main Campus

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$11636	73%	46%	96%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

9. Binghamton University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$10201	41%	82%	75%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

10. Indiana Institute of Technology

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$27440	60%	37%	99%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

11. Wichita State University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$8299	92%	50%	89%	Yes	Yes	AP / ACE Credits

12. Mississippi State University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$8910	54%	61%	95%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

13. Miami University-Oxford

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$15193	80%	81%	82%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

14. Arizona State University-Tempe

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$11338	86%	63%	96%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

15. The College of New Jersey

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$16923	49%	86%	81%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

16. Louisiana Tech University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$9615	64%	60%	98%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

17. Rowan University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$14000	74%	73%	86%	Yes	Yes	AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits

18. Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$11901	81%	70%	79%	Yes	Yes	AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits

19. Wright State University-Main Campus

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$9073	95%	45%	90%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

20. University of Utah

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$8615	62%	70%	85%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

21. University of Wisconsin-Madison

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$10725	54%	88%	61%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

22. The University of Texas at Dallas

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$13442	79%	70%	78%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

23. University of Alabama at Birmingham

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$8568	74%	63%	95%	Yes	Yes	AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits

24. University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$9063	80%	70%	96%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

25. University at Buffalo

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$10524	61%	75%	84%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

26. University of Rhode Island

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$14566	75%	69%	95%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

27. Virginia Commonwealth University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$14596	87%	67%	81%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

28. University of Cincinnati-Main Campus

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$11154	77%	71%	75%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

29. University of Memphis

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$9912	85%	53%	97%	Yes	Yes	AP / ACE Credits

30. University of Delaware

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$14280	71%	81%	88%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

31. Purdue Global-Main Campus

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$9992	60%	82%	65%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

32. Stony Brook University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$10175	44%	76%	79%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

33. Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$18450	76%	71%	73%	Yes	Yes	AP / ACE Credits

34. Texas A & M University-College Station

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$11361	58%	82%	76%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

35. University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$15027	57%	83%	81%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

36. University of Florida

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$6381	37%	88%	92%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

37. University of Arizona

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$12379	85%	65%	91%	Yes	Yes	AP / ACE Credits

38. Rutgers University-New Brunswick

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$15407	61%	84%	71%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

39. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$8980	23%	91%	65%	No	Yes	AP Credits

40. The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$13264	79%	72%	91%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

41. University of Connecticut

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$17226	49%	84%	75%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

42. University of South Carolina-Columbia

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$12688	69%	77%	95%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

43. CUNY City College

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$7340	46%	56%	87%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

44. San Jose State University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$7852	64%	64%	73%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

To get a more in-depth look at our school ranking methodology, please visit our ranking methodology page.

Tuition information is based on published tuition and required fees, per data by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

There are several different types of biomedical engineering programs available for students to choose from. Different degrees offer different benefits. Learn more about them below.

Associate Degrees in Biomedical Engineering

An associate degree in this field typically requires students to take around 60 credits over the course of two full-time years. These are often designed to be transferred to a four-year university for the eventual pursuit of a bachelor's in biomedical engineering, as it can be a complex field. Other associate degrees, such as Portland Community College's Associate of Applied Science in Biomedical Engineering Technology, are explicitly designed to help students access entry-level jobs as technicians and thus have more required credits. Students considering this degree level might want to analyze the different post-educational options offered by different programs.

Bachelor's Degrees in Biomedical Engineering

Bachelor's degrees in biomedical engineering tend to be rigorous courses, and as such usually take around 130 credits completed in four full-time years. Because of the high course load and complex subject matter, these programs tend to be more competitive than associate degrees for the same topic. A bachelor's degree commonly covers more areas of the field in greater depth than an associate degree and will likely include general education requirements. These classes are typically unrelated to the area of major study, and can include things like composition, fine arts, or anthropology. Depending on the course there may also be professional requirements such as internships or independent research. All together, these differences make a bachelor's degree more comprehensive than an associate degree. Students who complete bachelor's programs thus tend to have more employment opportunities. A bachelor's degree is also usually required for application to master's and doctoral degrees.

Master's Degrees in Biomedical Engineering

A master's degree in this field typically takes anywhere between 30-45 credits over the course of 1-2 years. Students might choose a program that is course-based, or one that requires a thesis produced from independent study. Many master's programs offer a wide variety of concentrations, as a master's can be used to demonstrate specific knowledge of a particular facet of the field. It can also act as a step towards a doctorate by demonstrating research ability and academic aptitude. However, a master's in biomedical science alone can help to provide students with several career options

Doctoral Degrees in Biomedical Engineering

A doctorate in biomedical engineering typically starts with a base of advanced coursework. After that, students might expect a large portion of their time in the program to be spent on individual specialized research. This entire process can take anywhere from 5-8 years depending on the program and the student. A PhD might help to open doors to senior positions in research, academia, and various industries. However, due to the large time commitment and challenging coursework, students considering this degree level may want to think carefully about if a PhD in biomedical engineering is worth it to them.

Certificates in Biomedical Engineering

Given the complicated nature of the material, certificates in biomedical engineering are typically available to those who have completed a bachelor's, master's, or in some cases, a doctorate. These programs serve to provide specialized training in a certain area of biomedical engineering. As they're typically around 12 credits, these provide a shorter and more direct route to specific expertise than a master's degree. Certificates may be helpful to those who are already employed in the biomedical engineering industry and have a clear idea of what aspect of the field they are interested in gaining more expertise in.

There are a variety of concentrations within biomedical engineering. While they tend to vary from program to program, some of the more common examples include:

• Biomechanics, which offers classes focusing on the way mechanical theory applies to living organisms.
• Pre-medicine, a track that offers the opportunity to take classes that might be helpful for students planning on attending medical school.
• Tissue engineering, a concentration based on understanding tissues and creating solutions specifically designed for them.

Students may want to research the concentrations offered at different programs to assess if it can help them meet their academic goals.

While different concentrations and programs will have different curriculum requirements, students can expect their education to be heavily based in the life sciences. Math classes and practical labs are also typical. Some examples of classes that are commonly offered include:

• Statics, a class that examines how the laws of mechanical physics act upon non-moving objects.
• Chemistry, where students might learn chemical laws and properties at increasingly sophisticated levels.
• Biomaterial design, which gives students the opportunity to explore the best ways to engineer technology to work with the human body.

Bachelor's degrees may also have general education requirements that stipulate the completion of unrelated classes such as art or literature. While some programs allow room for elective classes that are not part of the core curriculum or general education requirements, the rigorous nature of this program generally limits the number of these.

Students who are considering a bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering might expect to dedicate 4 full-time years to their study of approximately 130 credits. Around 80 of these credits will be foundation and core classes meant to provide a strong base of knowledge that can generally serve students in biomedical professions or further education. A further 30-40 credits are biomedical classes that are focused less on general knowledge and more on specific concentrations. The remaining 10-20 classes may be earmarked for general education or free electives. Students might expect labs to feature heavily in these classes, although the exact number will vary depending on the program and concentration.

Given the rigorous and sequential nature of this program, students may find it challenging to pursue an accelerated education in biomedical engineering. For example, as the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign shows with an interactive course map, Calculus I, II, and III must all be taken separately and in order. This process, which will take a minimum of three semesters, must be completed as prerequisites for several other required classes. Therefore, acceleration is somewhat limited in this degree. However, students who are interested in this option may want to consult the departmental academic advisor at their program of choice to see the options that might be available to them.

Accredited schools are institutions that non-governmental private organizations have assessed and approved. The organizations themselves have been vetted by the Department of Education, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), or both. Accreditation is a process that attempts to confirm the quality of institutions awarding degrees. As such, students may want to consider accredited schools as opposed to their non-accredited counterparts: accreditation can be a sign that an institution is providing a certain standard of education, which may in turn signal a certain level of degree-holder ability to future employers. Additionally, federal aid is only awarded to students who are attending an accredited school. These are some reasons why students who are considering an unaccredited school for biomedical engineering may want to weigh the impact their decision could have on their education and career.

Biomedical engineering programs themselves may or may not be accredited by the non-profit, non-governmental Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). ABET accreditation is voluntary and is only given to programs run by schools that have themselves been accredited by CHEA or Department of Education approved groups. It serves to assess engineering programs for what they consider to be quality markers. ABET accreditation may be important to consider for students who are planning on pursuing licensure or certification, as these often require ABET approved education to qualify.

While there is no license specifically for biomedical engineers, there are licenses for professional engineers provided by state governments. As such, qualifications may vary from state to state. A Bachelor of Science in an engineering program that has been accredited by ABET may be required, as might a certain amount of professional experience. The completion of a fundamental engineering exam may also be a prerequisite to sit for a specialized exam. License exams typically have associated fees. These certifications usually need to be renewed at intervals that vary between states. The National Society of Professional Engineers reports that while licensure is not universally necessary for all engineering jobs, it is often required for important positions and thus might warrant serious consideration. Additionally, some non-engineering jobs that make use of a biomedical engineering education may have specialty certifications related to their fields. An example of this is a biomedical technician who chooses to get certified through the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI).

A bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering can help to set students up for higher degree levels. Obtaining a bachelor's degree in this field can also give students the opportunity to pursue several job options in the biomedical sciences. Two examples of these positions are biomedical technicians and rehabilitation engineers.

How to Become a Biomedical Technician

A biomedical technician is a professional in charge of complex medical technology. They are responsible for understanding how these machines work, and knowing how to install, repair, and maintain them. As they are working with health technology, students considering this career might expect to work mostly in hospitals and other healthcare settings, usually full time and occasionally on call. Specialized certification from an organization like the AAMI may prove useful in career prospects and advancement. To become a certified biomedical technician, an associate degree is required. A bachelor's may prove helpful in progressing to more senior positions as well. Students who reach this point may then want to consider becoming certified by a group like the AAMI, at which point they might start sending out applications to become biomedical technicians. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lists the average salary for a medical equipment repairer as $49,280 per year, with a slightly faster than average 5% growth rate projected for 2019-2029. They also state that the highest paying states for this job are Delaware, Alaska, and New York.

How to Become a Rehabilitation Engineer

A rehabilitation engineer is a professional who applies the principles of biological engineering to the rehabilitation process. They might create equipment to help people with disabilities better adapt to difficult environments, provide support for someone learning how to use a new apparatus, or customize a vehicle to best suit a disabled individual who needs their own transportation. While there is a large technological aspect to this job, students can also typically expect to spend time meeting face-to-face with clients to discuss and better understand their needs. A bachelor's degree is typically required to be considered for this job. Some positions will also require the applicant to be a licensed engineer. Applicants might want to foster technological creativity and personal communication skills to prepare for this career. The BLS reports a biomedical engineer, a profession of which rehabilitation engineering is a subset, can expect an annual salary of around $91,410, with the highest paying states being Minnesota, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. The BLS also expects a 5% growth rate for the career between 2019-2029.

Students who are considering applying to regionally accredited programs may want to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This process will likely inform applicants of how much financial support they can receive for their education, including scholarships, loans, and work-study opportunities. As this can be a lengthy process, students may want to consider applying at their earliest convenience.

Additionally, there are also scholarships available specifically for students pursuing undergraduate degrees in biomedical engineering:

• An AAMI scholarship. Seven awards of $3,000 dollars are awarded to current students pursuing a healthcare technology career. To be considered, students must submit a personal statement along with an application, supporting documents, and two letters of recommendation.
• A Florida Engineering Society scholarship. This scholarship awards varying amounts of support to undergraduate students attending Florida-based, ABET-accredited engineering programs. They must be at least two semesters away from graduation and a US citizen or permanent resident. Additionally, students must also be earning at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale and secure a recommendation from an engineering faculty member.

Apart from the high school diploma or equivalent G.E.D. typically required for most bachelor's programs, institutions rarely require any specific prerequisites to be considered for entry. However, there are some steps for students to take that might support a strong application and prepare them better for future education opportunities. Some of these unofficial prerequisites and requirements for this degree include a high school curriculum that demonstrates successful completion of high-level science courses. Internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer work conducted within a medical or engineering field may also help to demonstrate ability and interest to potential programs. Additionally, as many schools require an ACT or SAT score for the application, students interested in pursuing biomedical engineering might want to take steps to increase their scores in the scientific portions of these tests.

Bachelor's programs for this field of study can be competitive. Applications often require transcripts, letters of recommendation, competitive ACT or SAT scores, and personal statements. As such, students considering this program might want to reflect on what their career aspirations are and seek out programs that offer concentrations or research opportunities that will support them. Students who might want some support in this endeavor should consider reaching out to academic advisors at schools they are looking at. An academic advisor is typically well-versed in the catalogue requirements, challenges, and benefits of their school's program. They might be able to use this knowledge to advise potential students, or to guide current students through the rigors of the program. These advisors may be able to help students select a curriculum that will support their career ambitions.