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Biomedical Engineering at University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Biomedical/Medical Engineering

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $93,310/yr (46% vs median)

AI Risk High (50% exposed)

Job Market Medium (19,900 openings/yr)

ROI 3.8x earnings multiple

Ranked #52 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 Engineering graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$1,068K	$1,017K	$845K
Earnings Multiple	4.0x	3.8x	3.2x
Probability of Field Employment	73%	67%	48%
DegreeOutlook Score	63	62	59

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$264,416

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$124,916

53% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$15,593

2.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$121,488

30% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $93,310 put University of Pennsylvania's Biomedical Engineering program 46% above the national median of $63,751 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

An earnings multiple of 3.8x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

Some AI exposure exists in Biomedical 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 $93,310 far exceeding the $15,593 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #52 of 119 Biomedical Engineering programs, University of Pennsylvania scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $93,310 to $121,488 over five years — a 30% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of Pennsylvania

University of Pennsylvania's 6% admission rate places it in the top tier of selectivity nationally, with a mid-sized student body of 10,768 in Philadelphia, PA. The average net cost of $124,916 over four years represents a 53% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Pennsylvania →

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 University of Pennsylvania

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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biomedical Engineering at University of Pennsylvania?

A score of 62/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Biomedical Engineering field.

Will AI replace Biomedical Engineering careers?

With 50% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $844,568 in decade earnings vs $1,068,001 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Is University of Pennsylvania a hidden gem for Biomedical Engineering?

After financial aid, the average student pays $124,916 over four years — 53% below the $264,416 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 →