Biomedical/Medical Engineering at University of Iowa

Iowa City, IA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
67 /100
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)
Ranked #19 of 119 Biomedical/Medical Engineering programs Top 25%

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 $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)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$85,592
-95% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
5.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$89,577
54% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $58,144/yr, Biomedical/Medical Engineering graduates from University of Iowa land near the $63,751 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 18.8x 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 18% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $27,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #19 of 119 nationally, this is a top-5% Biomedical/Medical Engineering program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $89,577 show a 54% jump from the $58,144 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

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
View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Biomedical/Medical Engineering at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of Iowa

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

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/Medical 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/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 $707,628 in decade earnings vs $858,116 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of Iowa's Biomedical/Medical 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 →