Biomedical/Medical Engineering at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Michigan's biomedical engineering program delivers on the university's elite reputation with a starting salary of $70,307—substantially higher than both the national median ($64,660) and Michigan's state median ($64,064). This is noteworthy in a state where several other respected institutions offer the same degree: Michigan beats Lawrence Tech and Michigan Tech's starting salaries by roughly $6,000. The 20% earnings growth over four years signals strong career progression, reaching $84,138, which is well above typical outcomes for this field.

The $20,000 median debt figure represents genuine value, especially compared to Michigan's state median debt of $27,000 for this program. This creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.28, meaning graduates owe less than three months of their first-year salary. That's manageable by any standard, particularly given Michigan's 18% admission rate and academic selectivity. The main hesitation comes from the moderate sample size—Michigan enrolls far fewer biomedical engineering students than its overall undergraduate population, so individual outcomes may vary more than at larger programs.

For families comfortable with Michigan's selectivity and cost of attendance, this program offers strong placement outcomes and reasonable debt levels. The engineering career trajectory here outpaces most alternatives in the state, making it a solid choice for students who gain admission.