Biomedical Engineeringat University of Pennsylvania
Graduates earn $93,310/yr in their first year — about 46.0% above the national Biomedical Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,017K; scenarios range from $845K to $1,068K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Pennsylvania
Your degree from Penn's Biomedical Engineering program places you in an exceptionally strong position, leveraging the university's Ivy League reputation and deep connections within Philadelphia's thriving biotech and pharmaceutical sectors. This creates a direct pipeline to leading employers in medical devices, drug discovery, and healthcare innovation. Many graduates enter cutting-edge R&D roles, but quickly pivot into management, consulting, or even entrepreneurial ventures, building on the program's strong interdisciplinary foundation. The robust local healthcare ecosystem, including Penn Medicine, offers unparalleled opportunities for clinical application and research. To navigate the evolving landscape, focus on developing the strategic thinking, complex problem-solving, and patient-facing or managerial skills that complement AI, ensuring your career remains at the forefront of this dynamic field.
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 University of Pennsylvania'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 University of Pennsylvania stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Pennsylvania
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Pennsylvania, 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 University of Pennsylvania
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biomedical Engineering at University of Pennsylvania?
A score of 62/100 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 $844,568 in decade earnings vs $1,068,001 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is University of Pennsylvania a hidden gem for Biomedical Engineering?
After financial aid, the average student pays $124,916 over four years — 53% below the $264,416 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.