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Biomedical Engineering at Washington State University

Pullman, WA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Biomedical/Medical Engineering

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $30,778/yr (-52% vs median)

AI Risk High (50% exposed)

Job Market Medium (19,900 openings/yr)

ROI 22.5x earnings multiple (10.1x out-of-state)

Ranked #111 of 119 Biomedical/Medical Engineering programs

Program Analysis

The earnings profile for Biomedical Engineering at WSU often reflects its specific regional context rather than a lack of program quality. Located in Pullman, you're not in a major biotech or medical device industry hub, which means fewer local opportunities for direct, high-paying BME roles right out of your undergraduate degree. Many graduates may initially find positions leveraging their strong engineering foundation in broader sectors, or they'll need to strategically relocate to major life science hubs like Seattle, Boston, or California for top-tier biomedical positions. Given the high AI risk in certain BME subfields, specializing through internships and extracurricular projects is crucial. Your best bet is to actively seek out summer internships in your target industry and geographic market from day one to build a competitive resume and network.

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	$1,238K	$1,172K	$956K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	23.8x	22.5x	18.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	10.6x	10.1x	8.2x
Probability of Field Employment	73%	67%	48%
DegreeOutlook Score	45	44	55

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$51,988

Out-of-state: $116,292 (10.1x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$57,604

-11% less than sticker · See by income

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$95,879

212% growth from Year 1

About Washington State University

With 85% of applicants admitted, Washington State University prioritizes broad access, serving a student body of 21,583 in Pullman, WA.

See all programs and financial aid at Washington State University →

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 Engineering at Other Schools

Other Majors at Washington State University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Washington State University's Biomedical Engineering program score?

This program scores 44/100 — on the lower end for Biomedical Engineering. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

How vulnerable is Biomedical Engineering to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Biomedical 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 are Biomedical Engineering earnings lower at Washington State University?

Lower starting pay at Washington State University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →