Biomedical/Medical Engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
58 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
59
Optimistic
58
Base Case
55
Pessimistic
Earnings $70,696/yr (11% vs median)
AI Risk High (50% exposed)
Job Market Medium (19,900 openings/yr)
ROI 3.9x earnings multiple
Ranked #69 of 119 Biomedical/Medical Engineering programs

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 $988K $944K $792K
Earnings Multiple 4.1x 3.9x 3.3x
Probability of Field Employment 73% 67% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 59 58 55

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$240,624
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$79,252
67% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,000
2.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$106,402
51% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Biomedical/Medical Engineering graduates start at $70,696/yr — above the $63,751 national average, though not by a wide margin.

An earnings multiple of 3.9x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

Some AI exposure exists in Biomedical/Medical Engineering's typical career paths, with 50% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 20% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $13,000 in median debt clears quickly against $70,696 in annual earnings.

Ranked #69 of 119 Biomedical/Medical Engineering programs, Massachusetts Institute of Technology falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $106,402 show a 51% jump from the $70,696 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Only 5% of applicants gain admission to Massachusetts Institute of Technology, reflecting elite selectivity, a smaller institution with 4,571 students in Cambridge, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $79,252 — 67% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Massachusetts Institute of Technology →

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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biomedical/Medical Engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
This program scores 58/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Biomedical/Medical Engineering programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Will AI replace Biomedical/Medical Engineering careers?
With 50% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $792,201 in decade earnings vs $987,739 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is Massachusetts Institute of Technology a hidden gem for Biomedical/Medical Engineering?
After financial aid, the average student pays $79,252 over four years — 67% below the $240,624 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →