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Engineering · Biomedical Engineering Rank #18 of 119

Biomedical Engineeringat University of California-Berkeley

Graduates earn $73,348/yr in their first year — about 15.0% above the national Biomedical Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $780K; scenarios range from $675K to $808K depending on AI disruption.

Berkeley, CA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
67 SOLID
68
Optimistic
64
Pessimistic
Earnings
$73,348
1-year post-graduation
ROI
14.0x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$780K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
55% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at UC Berkeley

Your outcomes from Berkeley's Biomedical Engineering program reflect its elite standing and location at the heart of innovation. The rigorous curriculum, often integrating deeply with UCSF's medical research, cultivates highly sought-after expertise in areas like medical device development, drug delivery systems, and computational biology. This rigorous training, combined with Berkeley's robust alumni network and prime position within the Bay Area's sprawling biotech and pharmaceutical ecosystem—think companies like Genentech, Amgen, and numerous startups—creates unparalleled recruiting pipelines. Employers actively seek out Berkeley graduates, valuing your analytical prowess and ability to tackle complex, interdisciplinary challenges. To maximize your potential in this rapidly evolving field, proactively seek out internships and research opportunities that expose you to emerging technologies and leadership roles, ensuring you remain at the forefront of the industry.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$675K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score64/100
Earnings Multiple11.4x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$780K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score67/100
Earnings Multiple13.1x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$808K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score68/100
Earnings Multiple13.6x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to UC Berkeley's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Biomedical Engineering graduates typically work

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.

1
Architectural and engineering managers
+3.8% 10-yr growth · 14,500 openings/yr
$167,740/yr
Moderate
2
Bioengineers and biomedical engineers
+5.2% 10-yr growth · 1,300 openings/yr
$106,950/yr
High
3
Engineering teachers, postsecondary
+8.1% 10-yr growth · 4,100 openings/yr
$106,120/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Biomedical Engineering

How UC Berkeley stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
University of Pennsylvania
PA · Private nonprofit
62
DW Score
$93K
1-yr earn
3.6x
ROI
Rice University
TX · Private nonprofit
57
DW Score
$88K
1-yr earn
2.9x
ROI
Top score
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
CA · Public
74
DW Score
$81K
1-yr earn
24.1x
ROI
Same state (CA)
University of Southern California
CA · Private nonprofit
59
DW Score
$81K
1-yr earn
3.1x
ROI
Johns Hopkins University
MD · Private nonprofit
60
DW Score
$77K
1-yr earn
3.7x
ROI
Also at UC Berkeley

Other top programs at UC Berkeley

Other highest-scoring programs offered at UC Berkeley, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Biomedical Engineering offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Biomedical Engineering trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Biomedical Engineering at UC Berkeley

What does a 67/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Biomedical Engineering at University of California-Berkeley?

At 67/100, University of California-Berkeley's Biomedical Engineering program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

Should I worry about AI if I study Biomedical Engineering at University of California-Berkeley?

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.

Is University of California-Berkeley one of the best schools for Biomedical Engineering?

Among 119 Biomedical Engineering programs, University of California-Berkeley's #18 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.