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Biomedical/Medical Engineering at University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
59 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
61
Optimistic
59
Base Case
56
Pessimistic
Earnings $80,508/yr (26% vs median)
AI Risk High (50% exposed)
Job Market Medium (19,900 openings/yr)
ROI 3.6x earnings multiple
Ranked #61 of 119 Biomedical/Medical Engineering programs

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 $1,016K $970K $811K
Earnings Multiple 3.7x 3.6x 3.0x
Probability of Field Employment 73% 67% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 61 59 56

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$272,948
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$127,708
53% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,750
2.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$112,503
40% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $80,508 put University of Southern California's Biomedical/Medical Engineering program 26% above the national median of $63,751 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

An earnings multiple of 3.6x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

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 20% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $80,508 far exceeding the $13,750 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #61 of 119 Biomedical/Medical Engineering programs, University of Southern California falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $80,508 to $112,503 over five years — a 40% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of Southern California

University of Southern California's 10% admission rate places it in the top tier of selectivity nationally, with 20,817 students enrolled in Los Angeles, CA. After financial aid, the average student pays $127,708 over four years — 53% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Southern California →

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

Compare this program → View all 119 schools offering Biomedical/Medical Engineering →

Biomedical/Medical Engineering at Other Schools

University of Pennsylvania ($93,310) Rice University ($88,307) California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ($81,186) Wentworth Institute of Technology ($80,401) Case Western Reserve University ($78,815) Worcester Polytechnic Institute ($78,283) University of the Pacific ($77,099) Johns Hopkins University ($76,928)

Other Majors at University of Southern California

Computer Science ($137,284) Computer Software and Media Applications ($103,071) Real Estate ($98,763) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($89,684) Industrial Engineering ($87,807) Civil Engineering ($85,262) Mechanical Engineering ($83,356) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($78,980)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Biomedical/Medical Engineering trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biomedical/Medical Engineering at University of Southern California?
This program scores 59/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Biomedical/Medical Engineering programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
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 $810,623 in decade earnings vs $1,015,978 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is University of Southern California a hidden gem for Biomedical/Medical Engineering?
After financial aid, the average student pays $127,708 over four years — 53% below the $272,948 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →