Biomedical/Medical Engineering at University of the Pacific

University of the Pacific's biomedical engineering graduates earn $77,099 their first year out—nearly $10,000 above California's median for this major and $12,000 above the national median. That places them in the 95th percentile nationally, competing with graduates from far more selective programs. With debt of $26,033, these graduates face a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.34, meaning they owe roughly four months' salary—a manageable burden that shouldn't significantly delay other financial goals.

The 60th percentile ranking within California initially seems modest, but context matters: Pacific sits just below heavyweights like USC and Cal Poly SLO while maintaining a 95% admission rate. Most California biomedical engineering programs cluster tightly in earnings, and Pacific's graduates actually out-earn those from UC Berkeley. The accessibility of Pacific's program—combined with these outcomes—represents an unusual opportunity for students who might not gain admission to California's most selective engineering schools.

The caveat is sample size: fewer than 30 graduates means one exceptional cohort or a few high earners could skew results. Still, the combination of strong earnings, reasonable debt, and high admission rates suggests Pacific has built a biomedical engineering program that punches above its weight. For families seeking engineering outcomes without the stress of ultra-competitive admissions, this program merits serious consideration.