Median Earnings (1yr)
$39,035
5th percentile
10th percentile in New York
Median Debt
$24,581
6% above national median

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

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
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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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Stony Brook UniversityStony Brook$10,560$39,035$74,723$24,5810.63
Rensselaer Polytechnic InstituteTroy$61,884$74,427$98,618$26,0000.35
Rochester Institute of TechnologyRochester$57,016$72,344$82,443$29,1830.40
University of RochesterRochester$64,348$69,414$86,302$20,5000.30
Syracuse UniversitySyracuse$63,061$64,660$89,553$27,0000.42
Columbia University in the City of New YorkNew York$69,045$62,895$19,5000.31
National Median$64,660$23,2460.36

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with biomedical/medical engineering graduates

Architectural and Engineering Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields.

$167,740/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers

Define, plan, or execute biofuels/biodiesel research programs that evaluate alternative feedstock and process technologies with near-term commercial potential.

$167,740/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers

Apply knowledge of engineering, biology, chemistry, computer science, and biomechanical principles to the design, development, and evaluation of biological, agricultural, and health systems and products, such as artificial organs, prostheses, instrumentation, medical information systems, and health management and care delivery systems.

$106,950/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to the application of physical laws and principles of engineering for the development of machines, materials, instruments, processes, and services. Includes teachers of subjects such as chemical, civil, electrical, industrial, mechanical, mineral, and petroleum engineering. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:
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.