Biomedical/Medical Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin

UT Austin's biomedical engineering graduates start modestly at $56,000, trailing both the national median ($64,660) and state median ($58,916) for this major. That 23rd percentile national ranking places them well below what families might expect from a selective flagship engineering program, especially when compared to Rice's $88,000 starting salaries just down I-10. The manageable $21,071 debt load helps offset this initial disappointment, but it can't fully compensate for the earnings gap—UT grads are starting roughly $12,000 behind the typical biomedical engineering graduate nationwide.

The trajectory changes dramatically by year four, with earnings jumping 55% to $87,087. This puts UT graduates ahead of most in-state competitors and suggests the program's value emerges through career advancement rather than immediate placement. Among Texas biomedical engineering programs, UT sits at the median initially but likely pulls ahead over time, though the 40th percentile state ranking indicates this isn't the automatic outcome for all graduates.

For families seeking strong early returns on an engineering degree, this program underdelivers. But if you're comfortable with a slower build—accepting below-average starting pay in exchange for strong mid-career positioning and minimal debt—UT's biomedical engineering program offers a viable path. Just know you're banking on growth rather than immediate payoff, and that Rice exists as a premium alternative for families who can access it.