Biomedical/Medical Engineering at The University of Texas at San Antonio

UTSA's biomedical engineering program operates in a competitive Texas market where earnings vary dramatically—from Rice's $88,000 to Houston's $48,000—and graduates here land near the middle at $60,705. That puts them ahead of the state median and respectably positioned among the nine Texas programs, though about $3,700 below the national average. For a highly selective field accessible at an institution with an 88% acceptance rate serving many first-generation students, this represents solid ground.

The $24,900 in debt is manageable, translating to a 0.41 ratio that keeps monthly payments well within reach of starting salaries. This matters especially for UTSA's student population, where 42% receive Pell grants—financial breathing room early in a career can be the difference between thriving and struggling. The program doesn't command Rice-level salaries, but it also doesn't saddle graduates with the debt loads often seen at elite institutions.

The major caveat: these figures come from a small sample of fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes may vary more than at larger programs. For families weighing options, this represents a practical path into biomedical engineering without the sticker shock or admission barriers of more prestigious alternatives, though students aiming for top-tier earnings should understand they're likely looking at mid-tier outcomes.