Biomedical/Medical Engineering at Santa Clara University

Santa Clara, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
60 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
61
Optimistic
60
Base Case
57
Pessimistic
Earnings $73,710/yr (16% vs median)
AI Risk High (50% exposed)
Job Market Medium (19,900 openings/yr)
ROI 4.4x earnings multiple
Ranked #56 of 119 Biomedical/Medical Engineering programs Top 50%

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 $1,107K $1,052K $870K
Earnings Multiple 4.7x 4.4x 3.7x
Probability of Field Employment 73% 67% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 61 60 57

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$236,964
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$203,836
14% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,500
3.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$118,457
61% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $73,710 at Santa Clara University come in 16% above the national median of $63,751 for Biomedical/Medical Engineering programs.

An earnings multiple of 4.4x 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 21% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $73,710 far exceeding the $20,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #56 of 119 Biomedical/Medical Engineering programs, Santa Clara University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $118,457 show a 61% jump from the $73,710 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Santa Clara University

A 44% admission rate makes Santa Clara University accessible to a wide range of qualified students, serving 6,235 students in Santa Clara, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at Santa Clara 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/Medical Engineering at Other Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biomedical/Medical Engineering at Santa Clara University?
A score of 60/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Biomedical/Medical Engineering field.
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 $869,819 in decade earnings vs $1,106,710 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →