Biomedical Engineer Education Requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a biomedical engineer. Biomedical engineers usually study biomedical engineering, electrical engineering, or mechanical engineering. 65% of biomedical engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 16% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 1,527 real biomedical engineer resumes to see exactly what biomedical engineer education sections show.

The most common colleges for biomedical engineers are the DeVry University and the DeVry University.

There are also many online biomedical engineer courses to help get the education required to be a biomedical engineer.

What education do you need to become a biomedical engineer?

What degree do you need to be a biomedical engineer?

The most common degree for biomedical engineers is bachelor's degree, with 65% of biomedical engineers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 16% and master's degree degree at 12%.
  • Bachelor's, 65%
  • Master's, 16%
  • Associate, 12%
  • Doctorate, 3%
  • Other Degrees, 4%

What should I major in to become a biomedical engineer?

You should major in biomedical engineering to become a biomedical engineer. 54% of biomedical engineers major in biomedical engineering. Other common majors for a biomedical engineer include electrical engineering and mechanical engineering.

Most common colleges for biomedical engineers

Biomedical engineers often get their degrees at DeVry University, University of Connecticut, and New Jersey Institute of Technology. Here are the most common colleges for biomedical engineers in the US based on their resumes.
Biomedical Engineer Common College
ascdesc
Percentages
ascdesc
DeVry University9.59%
University of Connecticut7.76%
New Jersey Institute of Technology7.31%
Worcester Polytechnic Institute6.85%
George Washington University, The5.94%

Best majors for biomedical engineers

Best colleges for biomedical engineers

The best colleges for biomedical engineers are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Johns Hopkins University.

A biomedical engineer with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for biomedical engineers. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become biomedical engineers.

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-State Tuition

$51,832

Enrollment

4,550

Website

web.mit.edu/

Address

77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $99,600 per year

Net Price: $18,278 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 6.74%
SAT Average - 1545
ACT Average - 35
Most Popular Majors
Business
Computer Science
Mechanical Engineering
Biology
Electrical Engineering

2. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-State Tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

Website

www.stanford.edu/

Address

450 Serra Mall, Stanford, CA 94305-2061

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $92,800 per year

Net Price: $12,265 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 4.36%
SAT Average - 1497
ACT Average - 34
Most Popular Majors
Computer Science
Business
Biology
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering

3. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-State Tuition

$6,381

Enrollment

34,564

Website

www.ufl.edu/

Address

300 SW 13th Street, Gainesville, FL 32611

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $47,700 per year

Net Price: $8,057 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 38.75%
SAT Average - 1362
ACT Average - 30
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Business
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Chemistry

4. University of California - San Diego

La Jolla, CA • Private

In-State Tuition

$14,167

Enrollment

30,279

Website

www.ucsd.edu

Address

9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $48,200 per year

Net Price: $13,318 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 30.06%
SAT Average - 1372
ACT Average - 30
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Computer Science
Electrical Engineering
Biomedical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering

5. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-State Tuition

$6,798

Enrollment

31,503

Website

www.csulb.edu

Address

1250 Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90840-0115

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $40,000 per year

Net Price: $8,982 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 31.21%
SAT Average - 1146
ACT Average - 23
Most Popular Majors
Business
Biology
Computer Science
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering

20 best online courses for biomedical engineers

Advertising Disclosure

1. Introduction to Medical Software

coursera

In this class, we present a broad overview of the field of medical software. You will learn from Yale professors and a series of industry experts who connect the course concepts to their real world applications. We begin by discussing medical device regulatory structures, data privacy and cybersecurity regulations, and key support technologies such quality management systems and risk management. We then take a detailed look at the medical software life cycle, starting with identifying user...

2. Introduction to Medical Imaging

udemy
4.5
(827)

Your guide to the history, science, math, and economics of medical imaging systems (e.g., X-ray, CT, MRI, Ultrasound)...

3. Medical Device Process Validation. ISO 13485. IQ OQ PQ.

udemy
4.4
(900)

Validate a process to gain approval to sell medical devices in the EU, U.S. & Internationally. Compliance to ISO 13485...

4. ISO 13485 Demystified - Medical Devices' QMS 360° Insights

udemy
4
(648)

Deep dive into the world of ISO 13485 international standard for medical devices' QMS, basic concepts & requirements...

5. Practical Regulatory Affairs 2020 - US FDA Medical Devices

udemy
4.4
(726)

A practical course discussing the US FDA Medical Device regulations for real-world situations...

6. Internal audit on Medical Device QMS - ISO 13485:2016

udemy
4.3
(578)

Successfully conduct an internal audit based on requirements of ISO 13485:2016 for Medical Device Development and QMS...

7. ISO 13485 - IQOQPQ - Process Validation for Medical Devices

udemy
4.1
(389)

Installation Qualification (IQ), Operational Qualification (OQ) & Performance Qualification (PQ) Medical Devices...

8. ISO 13485:2016 - Design and Development of Medical Devices

udemy
4.2
(408)

Design and Development of Medical Devices in the perspective of ISO 13485:2016 and Medical Devices Industry...

9. Medical Devices Quality Management System - ISO 13485:2016

udemy
4.2
(631)

Awareness and Application for the requirements of ISO 13485:2016 for Medical Device Development and QMS...

10. Medical Device Regulation 2017/745 EU regulatory affairs.

udemy
4.3
(764)

Understand regulations for medical devices in simple terms to gain market approval of a medical device in the EU...

Top 10 most affordable universities for biomedical engineers

The most affordable schools for biomedical engineers are University of Florida, california state university - long beach, and florida state university.

If the best universities for biomedical engineers are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for biomedical engineers.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-State Tuition

$6,381

Cost of Attendance

21,034

Website

www.ufl.edu/

Address

300 SW 13th Street, Gainesville, FL 32611

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $47,700 per year

Net Price: $8,057 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 38.75%
SAT Average - 1362
ACT Average - 30
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Business
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Chemistry

2. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-State Tuition

$6,798

Cost of Attendance

18,306

Website

www.csulb.edu

Address

1250 Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90840-0115

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $40,000 per year

Net Price: $8,982 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 31.21%
SAT Average - 1146
ACT Average - 23
Most Popular Majors
Business
Biology
Computer Science
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering

3. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-State Tuition

$5,656

Cost of Attendance

21,623

Website

www.fsu.edu

Address

222 South Copeland Street, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1470

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $39,700 per year

Net Price: $10,744 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 36.78%
SAT Average - 1289
ACT Average - 28
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Business
Mechanical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Electrical Engineering

4. City College of New York of the City University of New York, The

New York, NY • Private

In-State Tuition

$7,140

Cost of Attendance

14,430

Website

www.ccny.cuny.edu

Address

160 Convent Avenue, New York, NY 10031-9101

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $36,800 per year

Net Price: $3,744 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 48.27%
SAT Average - 1155
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Computer Science

5. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-State Tuition

$5,620

Cost of Attendance

18,136

Website

www.byu.edu

Address

Main Campus, Provo, UT 84602

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $46,600 per year

Net Price: $13,181 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 64.47%
SAT Average - 1324
ACT Average - 29
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Business
Mechanical Engineering
Computer Science
Chemical Engineering

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for biomedical engineers

The hardest universities for biomedical engineers to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Johns Hopkins University.

Some great schools for biomedical engineers are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for biomedical engineers based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions Rate

4%

SAT Average

1,497

Website

www.stanford.edu/

Address

450 Serra Mall, Stanford, CA 94305-2061

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $92,800 per year

Net Price: $12,265 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 4.36%
SAT Average - 1497
ACT Average - 34
Most Popular Majors
Computer Science
Business
Biology
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions Rate

8%

SAT Average

1,508

Website

www.northwestern.edu

Address

633 Clark St, Evanston, IL 60208

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $71,900 per year

Net Price: $24,840 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 8.47%
SAT Average - 1508
ACT Average - 34
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Business
Computer Science
Mechanical Engineering
Biomedical Engineering

3. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions Rate

11%

SAT Average

1,513

Website

www.jhu.edu

Address

3400 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21218-2688

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $68,000 per year

Net Price: $30,701 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 11.48%
SAT Average - 1513
ACT Average - 34
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Biotechnology
Biomedical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Electrical Engineering

4. Yale University

New Haven, CT • Private

Admissions Rate

6%

SAT Average

1,517

Website

https://www.yale.edu

Address

105 Wall Street, New Haven, CT 06520

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $67,800 per year

Net Price: $18,770 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 6.35%
SAT Average - 1517
ACT Average - 34
Most Popular Majors
Business
Biology
Chemistry
Biomedical Engineering
Physics

5. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions Rate

10%

SAT Average

1,514

Website

www.vanderbilt.edu

Address

2101 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN 37240

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $61,900 per year

Net Price: $20,253 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 9.61%
SAT Average - 1514
ACT Average - 34
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Computer Science
Business
Mechanical Engineering
Biomedical Engineering

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for biomedical engineers

The easiest schools for biomedical engineers to get into are Oregon Institute of Technology, cleveland state university, and capitol technology university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a biomedical engineer without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for biomedical engineers.

1. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions Rate

96%

SAT Average

1,139

Website

https://www.oit.edu

Address

3201 Campus Drive, Klamath Falls, OR 97601-8801

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $52,900 per year

Net Price: $17,083 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 95.85%
SAT Average - 1139
ACT Average - 23
Most Popular Majors
Mechanical Engineering
Biology
Electrical Engineering
Engineering
Business

2. Cleveland State University

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions Rate

88%

SAT Average

1,111

Website

www.csuohio.edu/

Address

2121 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115-2214

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $37,200 per year

Net Price: $15,124 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 88.34%
SAT Average - 1111
ACT Average - 22
Most Popular Majors
Business
Biology
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Chemical Engineering

3. Capitol Technology University

Laurel, MD • Private

Admissions Rate

69%

SAT Average

1,070

Website

www.captechu.edu

Address

11301 Springfield Rd, Laurel, MD 20708

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $53,000 per year

Net Price: $22,000 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 68.90%
SAT Average - 1070
ACT Average - 20
Most Popular Majors
Electrical Engineering
Business
Computer Engineering
Computer Networking

4. Purdue University Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne, IN • Private

Admissions Rate

97%

SAT Average

1,080

Website

www.pfw.edu

Address

2101 E. Coliseum Blvd., Fort Wayne, IN 46805-1499

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $33,100 per year

Net Price: $11,404 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 96.61%
SAT Average - 1080
ACT Average - 22
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Business
Communication
Computer Science
Electrical Engineering

5. Washington State University

Pullman, WA • Private

Admissions Rate

77%

SAT Average

1,123

Website

wsu.edu/

Address

French Administration Building, Pullman, WA 99164-1009

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $44,700 per year

Net Price: $15,768 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 77.19%
SAT Average - 1123
ACT Average - 23
Most Popular Majors
Biology
Business
Mechanical Engineering
Computer Science
Electrical Engineering

Average biomedical engineer salary by education level

Biomedical Engineer education level
ascdesc
Biomedical Engineer salary
ascdesc
Bachelor's Degree$75,477

Biomedical Engineer Education FAQs

Search for biomedical engineer jobs

Loading...
Loading...

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse architecture and engineering jobs