Biomedical/Medical Engineering at University of Wisconsin-Madison

Madison, WI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
71 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
72
Optimistic
71
Base Case
68
Pessimistic
Earnings $74,094/yr (16% vs median)
AI Risk High (50% exposed)
Job Market Medium (19,900 openings/yr)
ROI 18.4x earnings multiple (5.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #5 of 119 Biomedical/Medical Engineering programs Top 5%

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 $825K $707K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 19.1x 18.4x 15.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.3x 5.1x 4.4x
Probability of Field Employment 73% 67% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 72 71 68

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$44,820
Out-of-state: $162,412 (5.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$67,712
-51% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,492
3.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$94,667
28% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $74,094/yr, edging above the $63,751 national average for Biomedical/Medical Engineering — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

The 18.4x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 50% task exposure — and the 18% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At $20,492 in median debt against $74,094 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #5 out of 119 programs, University of Wisconsin-Madison's Biomedical/Medical Engineering program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $74,094 to $94,667 shows 28% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of Wisconsin-Madison

With a 43% acceptance rate, University of Wisconsin-Madison is moderately selective, serving a student body of 35,665 in Madison, WI.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Wisconsin-Madison →

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 Wisconsin-Madison

Explore the Trade Alternative

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

How does University of Wisconsin-Madison's Biomedical/Medical Engineering program score?
A score of 71/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. University of Wisconsin-Madison's Biomedical/Medical Engineering graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Biomedical/Medical Engineering to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Biomedical/Medical Engineering careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 50% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does University of Wisconsin-Madison rank so high for Biomedical/Medical Engineering?
The #5 ranking out of 119 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →