Biomedical/Medical Engineering at Indiana University-Indianapolis
Bachelor's Degree
indianapolis.iu.eduAnalysis
IU-Indianapolis's biomedical engineering program produces first-year earnings of $71,852—above the national median for the field but middle-of-the-pack among Indiana's six programs at the 60th percentile. That's essentially matching programs at Purdue ($72,749) and Rose-Hulman ($71,714), which is impressive given IU-Indianapolis's 81% admission rate versus those more selective alternatives. The modest $20,729 debt load beats both the state and national medians, resulting in a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29 that graduates can comfortably handle.
The real question mark here is the small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates in the dataset. That means one or two unusual outcomes could skew these numbers significantly. The 6% earnings growth to year four is relatively modest for engineering, which could reflect either the program's specific career pathways or just the statistical noise from limited data points. Before committing, you'd want to verify these trends hold across multiple graduating classes.
For families evaluating affordable in-state options, this program delivers competitive outcomes at significantly lower debt than Indiana's private alternatives. The combination of solid starting salaries and below-average debt creates a clearer path to financial stability than you'll find at many biomedical engineering programs nationwide. Just recognize these numbers may shift as more data becomes available.
Where Indiana University-Indianapolis Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all biomedical/medical engineering bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Indiana University-Indianapolis graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana University-Indianapolis | $71,852 | $76,252 | +6% |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $70,696 | $116,182 | +64% |
| Northwestern University | $68,592 | $108,516 | +58% |
| Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology | $71,714 | $83,476 | +16% |
| Purdue University-Main Campus | $72,749 | $78,264 | +8% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Indiana
Biomedical/Medical Engineering bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Indiana (6 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $10,449 | $71,852 | $76,252 | $20,729 | 0.29 | |
| $9,992 | $72,749 | $78,264 | $19,500 | 0.27 | |
| $56,674 | $71,714 | $83,476 | $26,441 | 0.37 | |
| $35,600 | $67,702 | — | $27,000 | 0.40 | |
| National Median | — | $64,660 | — | $23,246 | 0.36 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with biomedical/medical engineering graduates
Architectural and Engineering Managers
Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Indiana University-Indianapolis, approximately 36% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 21 graduates with reported earnings and 26 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.