Biomedical Engineering at University of Alabama at Birmingham

Birmingham, AL · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Biomedical/Medical Engineering
59 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
60
Optimistic
59
Base Case
61
Pessimistic
Earnings $42,570/yr (-33% vs median)
AI Risk High (50% exposed)
Job Market Medium (19,900 openings/yr)
ROI 24.5x earnings multiple (9.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #59 of 119 Biomedical/Medical Engineering programs Top 50%

Program Analysis

The earnings trajectory for Biomedical/Medical Engineering at UAB, while lower than the national average for this field, can be understood by considering the program's unique context. UAB's strength lies in its expansive academic medical center, a major regional employer. Many graduates find fulfilling roles directly within this system, often in clinical engineering, research support, or healthcare IT, which are essential but might not command the same starting salaries as pure R&D positions in major biotech hubs like Boston or San Diego. Your career path here could involve optimizing medical equipment, supporting patient care technology, or assisting in cutting-edge medical research. While the immediate post-graduation salaries may reflect this focus, consider the strong foundation it provides for further specialization or graduate study. If top-tier industry R&D is your ultimate goal, actively pursuing internships outside the immediate region or planning for a master's or Ph.D. could significantly boost your long-term earning potential.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Biomedical Engineering graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $902K $865K $736K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 25.5x 24.5x 20.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 10.3x 9.9x 8.4x
Probability of Field Employment 73% 67% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 60 59 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)
$35,328
Out-of-state: $87,456 (9.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$70,908
-101% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,676
6.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$85,321
100% growth from Year 1

About University of Alabama at Birmingham

University of Alabama at Birmingham has a 88% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 12,118 in Birmingham, AL.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Alabama at Birmingham →

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 Engineering at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of Alabama at Birmingham

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Alabama at Birmingham's Biomedical Engineering program score?
This program scores 59/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Biomedical Engineering graduates.
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 University of Alabama at Birmingham?
Lower starting pay at University of Alabama at Birmingham may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →