Biomedical/Medical Engineering at Dordt University

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41 suggests manageable financial positioning for this engineering path. Based on comparable biomedical engineering programs nationwide, Dordt's graduates would carry roughly $26,000 in debt against first-year earnings near $65,000—meaning the typical graduate could theoretically pay off loans with less than half a year's salary. That's a reasonable starting point for an engineering career, though it's worth noting that similar programs in Iowa specifically have shown lower first-year earnings around $58,000.

The challenge here is the limited data. When the Department of Education suppresses outcomes because too few graduates can be tracked, it's impossible to know whether Dordt's actual results align with these national estimates or fall closer to Iowa's more modest figures. A small program can mean more personalized attention and tight-knit industry connections, but it can also mean fewer established employer relationships and less career placement infrastructure than you'd find at a larger engineering school.

For parents willing to accept some uncertainty, the estimated numbers look solid—engineering degrees generally produce reliable returns, and biomedical engineering offers diverse career paths from medical devices to pharmaceuticals. But you're essentially betting that Dordt's outcomes match or exceed the national median rather than following Iowa's trend. If your child is already drawn to Dordt's distinctive mission and community, that bet might make sense. If the decision is purely financial, larger programs with published outcomes would offer more certainty about what you're buying.