Biomedical Engineeringat University of California-Irvine
Graduates earn $67,170/yr in their first year — about 5.0% above the national Biomedical Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $988K; scenarios range from $824K to $1,036K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UC Irvine
Your choice of UC Irvine for Biomedical Engineering places you squarely in one of the nation's premier biotech and medical device ecosystems, often called "Medical Alley West." The robust local industry, stretching across Orange County and into San Diego, provides an exceptional pipeline for graduates. You'll find yourself amidst a high concentration of innovative companies, from established giants like Edwards Lifesciences and Masimo to a dynamic array of startups pushing boundaries in areas like diagnostics, prosthetics, and regenerative medicine. The program's strong reputation within this regional market means employers actively recruit UCI talent, valuing the practical skills and research exposure you'll gain. While AI will increasingly shape the future of this field, focusing on design, clinical application, and interdisciplinary collaboration will be key. To truly excel, immerse yourself in internships and research early on; these real-world experiences are your most valuable asset.
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 UC Irvine'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 Biomedical Engineering
How UC Irvine stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UC Irvine
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UC Irvine, 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 →Frequently asked about Biomedical Engineering at UC Irvine
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biomedical Engineering at University of California-Irvine?
A score of 69/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Biomedical Engineering field.
Will AI replace Biomedical Engineering careers?
With 50% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $823,713 in decade earnings vs $1,036,040 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.