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Biomedical/Medical Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Troy, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
59 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
60
Optimistic
59
Base Case
56
Pessimistic
Earnings $74,427/yr (17% vs median)
AI Risk High (50% exposed)
Job Market Medium (19,900 openings/yr)
ROI 4.0x earnings multiple
Ranked #65 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 $1,031K $983K $820K
Earnings Multiple 4.2x 4.0x 3.3x
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 (Sticker)
$247,536
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$132,556
46% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,000
4.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$111,812
50% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $74,427/yr, edging above the $63,751 national average for Biomedical/Medical Engineering — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

At 4.0x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

The 20% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Biomedical/Medical Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $26,000 in median debt against $74,427 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

A #65 ranking among 119 Biomedical/Medical Engineering programs places Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $74,427-to-$111,812 earnings arc over five years reflects a 50% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

With a 58% acceptance rate, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is moderately selective, serving 5,909 students in Troy, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $132,556 over four years — 46% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute →

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

Compare this program → View all 119 schools offering Biomedical/Medical Engineering →

Biomedical/Medical Engineering at Other Schools

University of Pennsylvania ($93,310) Rice University ($88,307) California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ($81,186) University of Southern California ($80,508) Wentworth Institute of Technology ($80,401) Case Western Reserve University ($78,815) Worcester Polytechnic Institute ($78,283) University of the Pacific ($77,099)

Other Majors at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Computer Science ($104,943) Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians ($94,722) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($85,172) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($83,412) Mathematics ($80,196) Chemical Engineering ($78,263) Nuclear Engineering ($77,014) Industrial Engineering ($74,787)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Biomedical/Medical Engineering trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 59/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Biomedical/Medical Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
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 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
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 →