Biomedical Engineering at University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Biomedical/Medical Engineering
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
68
Optimistic
67
Base Case
65
Pessimistic
Earnings
$58,144/yr (-9% vs median)
AI Risk
High (50% exposed)
Job Market
Medium (19,900 openings/yr)
ROI
18.8x earnings multiple (6.3x out-of-state)
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 | $858K | $826K | $708K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 19.6x | 18.8x | 16.1x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 6.5x | 6.3x | 5.4x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 73% | 67% | 48% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 68 | 67 | 65 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$43,856
Out-of-state: $131,708 (6.3x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
5.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$89,577
54% growth from Year 1
About University of Iowa
With 85% of applicants admitted, University of Iowa prioritizes broad access, one of the larger campuses at 21,691 students in Iowa City, IA.
See all programs and financial aid at University of Iowa →Top Career Paths
Architectural and engineering managers
$167,740/yr
Bioengineers and biomedical engineers
$106,950/yr
Engineering teachers, postsecondary
$106,120/yr
Compare & Explore
Biomedical Engineering at Other Schools
Other Majors at University of Iowa
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For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biomedical Engineering at University of Iowa?
A score of 67/100 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 $707,628 in decade earnings vs $858,116 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of Iowa's Biomedical Engineering program stand out?
Ranked #19 of 119 programs nationally, University of Iowa lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →