Biomedical/Medical Engineering at California State University-Long Beach

Long Beach, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
59 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
60
Optimistic
59
Base Case
56
Pessimistic
Earnings $66,090/yr (4% vs median)
AI Risk High (50% exposed)
Job Market Medium (19,900 openings/yr)
ROI 23.9x earnings multiple (8.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #60 of 119 Biomedical/Medical Engineering programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Biomedical/Medical Engineering graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $687K $670K $596K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 24.5x 23.9x 21.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 9.1x 8.9x 7.9x
Probability of Field Employment 73% 67% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 60 59 56

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$28,032
Out-of-state: $75,552 (8.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$35,724
-27% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,500
2.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $66,090/yr, roughly in line with the $63,751 national median for Biomedical/Medical Engineering. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

With a 23.9x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 13% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Biomedical/Medical Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $66,090 far exceeding the $15,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #60 ranking among 119 Biomedical/Medical Engineering programs places California State University-Long Beach in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

About California State University-Long Beach

A 47% admission rate makes California State University-Long Beach accessible to a wide range of qualified students, with 34,131 students enrolled in Long Beach, CA. With 49% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Long Beach →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
Bioengineers and biomedical engineers $106,950/yr
Engineering teachers, postsecondary $106,120/yr
View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Biomedical/Medical Engineering at Other Schools

Other Majors at California State University-Long Beach

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 59/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Biomedical/Medical Engineering at California State University-Long Beach?
At 59/100, the score looks reasonable — but Biomedical/Medical Engineering is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Biomedical/Medical Engineering at California State University-Long Beach?
The 50% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →