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Biomedical/Medical Engineering at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Knoxville, TN · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $47,261/yr (-26% vs median)

AI Risk High (50% exposed)

Job Market Medium (19,900 openings/yr)

ROI 17.1x earnings multiple (7.2x out-of-state)

Ranked #53 of 119 Biomedical/Medical Engineering programs Top 50%

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	$964K	$922K	$777K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	17.9x	17.1x	14.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	7.5x	7.2x	6.1x
Probability of Field Employment	73%	67%	48%
DegreeOutlook Score	63	62	61

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$53,936

Out-of-state: $127,896 (7.2x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$72,436

-34% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$22,200

5.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$93,023

97% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $47,261/yr fall 26% below the $63,751 national median for Biomedical/Medical Engineering. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 17.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Biomedical/Medical Engineering programs nationally.

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 19% gap from the optimistic case.

At $22,200 in median debt against $47,261 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #53 of 119 Biomedical/Medical Engineering programs, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $93,023 show a 97% jump from the $47,261 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

With a 46% acceptance rate, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville is moderately selective, serving a student body of 28,763 in Knoxville, TN.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville →

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 The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Explore the Trade Alternative

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biomedical/Medical Engineering at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville?

A score of 62/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Biomedical/Medical Engineering field.

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 $776,747 in decade earnings vs $964,056 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Biomedical/Medical Engineering from The University of Tennessee-Knoxville?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →