Biomedical/Medical Engineering at Washington State University

Pullman, WA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
44 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
45
Optimistic
44
Base Case
55
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

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 $1,238K $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

Program Analysis

At $30,778 per year, Biomedical/Medical Engineering graduates from Washington State University earn below the $63,751 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 22.5x 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 23% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At #111 out of 119 programs, Washington State University's financial outcomes for Biomedical/Medical Engineering trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $30,778 to $95,879 over five years (212% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

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