Analysis
The small sample size here demands extra caution, but these numbers tell a troubling story for Stony Brook's biomedical engineering program. That first-year salary of $39,035 sits in the bottom 10% of New York biomedical engineering programs—roughly $23,000 below the state median and nearly $35,000 behind top programs like RPI. Even accounting for geographic and employment timing differences, this gap is substantial for a SUNY flagship with a competitive 1410 average SAT.
The dramatic 91% earnings jump to $74,723 by year four suggests graduates eventually find their footing, potentially after pursuing additional credentials or simply needing more time to land engineering roles. However, this delayed trajectory matters when families are evaluating alternatives like RIT or Rochester, where graduates start closer to $70,000. The $24,581 debt load is manageable and slightly above state norms, but the initial earnings struggle creates real financial stress in those critical first years after graduation.
Given the limited sample size, a few outliers could be skewing these results unfairly. But if you're choosing between SUNY Stony Brook and comparable programs in New York, the data suggests investigating why these graduates start so far behind their peers—and whether your student's career goals align with whatever unique pathway these numbers represent.
Where Stony Brook University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all biomedical/medical engineering bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Stony Brook University 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stony Brook University | $39,035 | $74,723 | +91% |
| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | $74,427 | $98,618 | +33% |
| Syracuse University | $64,660 | $89,553 | +38% |
| University of Rochester | $69,414 | $86,302 | +24% |
| Rochester Institute of Technology | $72,344 | $82,443 | +14% |
Compare to Similar Programs in New York
Biomedical/Medical Engineering bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New York (15 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $10,560 | $39,035 | $74,723 | $24,581 | 0.63 | |
| $61,884 | $74,427 | $98,618 | $26,000 | 0.35 | |
| $57,016 | $72,344 | $82,443 | $29,183 | 0.40 | |
| $64,348 | $69,414 | $86,302 | $20,500 | 0.30 | |
| $63,061 | $64,660 | $89,553 | $27,000 | 0.42 | |
| $69,045 | $62,895 | — | $19,500 | 0.31 | |
| 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 Stony Brook University, approximately 38% 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 28 graduates with reported earnings and 37 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.