Biological Engineeringat Oakland University
Graduates earn $57,337/yr in their first year — about 2.0% below the national Biological Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $602K; scenarios range from $549K to $613K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Oakland University
Oakland University's Biological/Biosystems Engineering program places you in a unique niche, distinct from broader biomedical or general engineering degrees. The Rochester Hills location means your job prospects will be heavily influenced by Michigan's industrial landscape. While not a primary biotech hub, the state has a strong medical device sector, particularly in West Michigan, and significant advanced manufacturing and automotive industries. You'll find opportunities applying engineering principles to biological systems in areas like product design, process optimization for manufacturing, or even environmental engineering within these established local employers.
The program's relatively newer status or smaller cohort size might mean you'll need to be proactive in building your professional network, as the alumni pipeline might not be as extensive as older, larger programs. Given the high AI risk associated with this field, developing strong problem-solving, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary collaboration skills will be paramount. Seek out internships and co-ops that offer hands-on experience with emerging technologies, making you an indispensable asset rather than easily automated.
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 Oakland University'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 Biological Engineering
How Oakland University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Oakland University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Oakland University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Biological Engineering at Oakland University
What does a 49/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Biological Engineering at Oakland University?
At 49/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Biological Engineering programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Biological Engineering at Oakland University?
The 49% 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.