Biomedical/Medical Engineering at University of California-Los Angeles

UCLA's biomedical engineering program starts graduates at $57,874—about $10,000 below the California median—but the trajectory tells a more compelling story. By year four, median earnings jump to $97,038, representing 68% growth and surpassing both state and national benchmarks. That rapid climb suggests the UCLA brand and technical foundation pay dividends once graduates gain experience, even if entry-level positions lag behind peers from Cal Poly SLO or USC who start 40% higher.

The $15,000 median debt is genuinely exceptional, landing in the 95th percentile nationally (meaning only 5% of similar programs have lower debt). For context, the typical California biomedical engineering graduate carries $20,000 in debt, and nationally it's over $23,000. This low debt burden makes the initial earnings gap manageable—the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.26 means graduates owe less than three months' salary.

The key question is whether your child will thrive in those critical first few years. If they're self-directed enough to pursue internships, research opportunities, or graduate school at UCLA, the platform is there. But families should understand they're banking on UCLA's network and reputation to unlock higher earnings down the road, not on immediate post-graduation income. For students who can afford the patience and have minimal debt, it's a reasonable bet.