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Engineering · Biomedical Engineering Rank #115 of 119

Biomedical Engineeringat Cornell University

Graduates earn $61,397/yr in their first year — about 4.0% below the national Biomedical Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $634K; scenarios range from $570K to $647K depending on AI disruption.

Ithaca, NY Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
42 AVERAGE
43
Optimistic
40
Pessimistic
Earnings
$61,397
1-year post-graduation
ROI
1.3x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$634K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
55% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Cornell University

Cornell's Biomedical Engineering program, while benefiting from the university's elite reputation, operates within specific market dynamics that shape its financial outcomes. The program's location in Ithaca, rather than a major biotech hub, means graduates often seek opportunities elsewhere, and initial placements might reflect a broader range of roles, including research or academic tracks that don't always lead to the highest starting salaries.

The field itself is also incredibly diverse; while some pathways lead to high-level managerial roles later in your career, many entry-level positions in bioengineering involve extensive R&D or further specialization. The noted high AI risk for this field underscores the importance of developing skills that complement, rather than compete with, artificial intelligence. Focus on interdisciplinary learning, perhaps integrating data science or advanced computational modeling into your studies, to future-proof your career and maximize your long-term earning potential.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$570K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score40/100
Earnings Multiple2.2x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$634K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score42/100
Earnings Multiple2.4x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$647K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score43/100
Earnings Multiple2.5x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Cornell University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Biomedical Engineering graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Architectural and engineering managers
+3.8% 10-yr growth · 14,500 openings/yr
$167,740/yr
Moderate
2
Bioengineers and biomedical engineers
+5.2% 10-yr growth · 1,300 openings/yr
$106,950/yr
High
3
Engineering teachers, postsecondary
+8.1% 10-yr growth · 4,100 openings/yr
$106,120/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Biomedical Engineering

How Cornell University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
University of Pennsylvania
PA · Private nonprofit
62
DW Score
$93K
1-yr earn
3.6x
ROI
Rice University
TX · Private nonprofit
57
DW Score
$88K
1-yr earn
2.9x
ROI
Top score
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
CA · Public
74
DW Score
$81K
1-yr earn
24.1x
ROI
University of Southern California
CA · Private nonprofit
59
DW Score
$81K
1-yr earn
3.1x
ROI
Johns Hopkins University
MD · Private nonprofit
60
DW Score
$77K
1-yr earn
3.7x
ROI
Also at Cornell University

Other top programs at Cornell University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Cornell University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Biomedical Engineering offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Biomedical Engineering trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Biomedical Engineering at Cornell University

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biomedical Engineering at Cornell University?

A score of 42/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Biomedical Engineering. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Will AI replace Biomedical Engineering careers?

With 50% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $570,105 in decade earnings vs $647,336 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Is Cornell University a hidden gem for Biomedical Engineering?

After financial aid, the average student pays $129,348 over four years — 51% below the $264,056 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.