Biomedical/Medical Engineering at University of Rhode Island

URI's biomedical engineering program delivers solid early earnings at $68,410, comfortably above the national median of $64,660 and hitting the 65th percentile nationally. The debt load of $26,367 is manageable—you're looking at a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39, meaning graduates earn more than twice what they owe. That's a reasonable starting point for an engineering degree, especially from a school with a 77% admission rate that doesn't require Ivy-level credentials to get in.

The wrinkle here is Rhode Island context. With only three schools offering this major in the state, URI lands at the 40th percentile—below Brown's $74,180 but not dramatically so. More importantly, strong 20% earnings growth over four years pushes graduates to $82,317, suggesting the degree opens doors to career progression. That trajectory matters more than a few thousand dollars difference at graduation.

For families choosing between URI and Brown (assuming admission to both), you're paying substantially less for what becomes a $8,000 earnings gap that narrows over time. If Brown isn't on the table, this program offers one of your only in-state options for biomedical engineering with below-average debt and above-average national outcomes. The combination of accessible admission, reasonable debt, and strong early-career growth makes this a pragmatic choice for Rhode Island families interested in medical device companies or healthcare technology.