Biomedical Engineeringat Illinois Institute of Technology
Graduates earn $48,572/yr in their first year — about 24.0% below the national Biomedical Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $697K; scenarios range from $616K to $717K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Illinois Tech
The data for IIT's Biomedical/Medical Engineering program suggests a challenging entry into the job market, often due to the specific dynamics of the Chicago-area medical technology landscape. While the city has a robust healthcare sector, immediate post-graduation roles in specialized BME design or R&D can be highly competitive or lean towards clinical support, quality assurance, or general engineering roles that may not fully leverage a BME degree for top-tier starting salaries. Graduates might find themselves competing for positions at smaller medical device manufacturers or research labs, rather than the larger pharmaceutical or high-tech medical device companies that typically offer higher compensation. To counteract this, aggressively pursue multiple co-ops or internships early on to build a specialized skillset and network directly with target employers.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Illinois Tech's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Biomedical Engineering
How Illinois Tech stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Illinois Tech
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Illinois Tech, 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 →Frequently asked about Biomedical Engineering at Illinois Tech
How does Illinois Institute of Technology's Biomedical Engineering program score?
This program scores 44/100 — on the lower end for Biomedical Engineering. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Biomedical Engineering to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Biomedical Engineering careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 50% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Biomedical Engineering earnings lower at Illinois Institute of Technology?
Lower starting pay at Illinois Institute of Technology may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
How affordable is Biomedical Engineering at Illinois Institute of Technology after financial aid?
Sticker price is $207,052, but the average net cost is $77,412 — a 63% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.