Biomedical/Medical Engineering at Wichita State University

Wichita State's biomedical engineering program graduates earn roughly $13,000 less than the national median for their degree—landing them in just the 15th percentile nationally. However, context matters: Kansas only has two schools offering this major, and WSU matches the state median exactly at $51,636. This isn't a case of a particularly weak program; it's more likely reflecting Kansas's lower cost of living and the regional engineering job market, where starting salaries don't match coastal tech hubs.

The debt picture is actually quite favorable. At $27,250, graduates carry about $4,000 more than the national median, but that's still manageable relative to first-year earnings—the 0.53 debt-to-earnings ratio is reasonable for an engineering degree. Graduates can realistically pay this down within a few years while building their careers. The 95% admission rate and modest SAT scores suggest this program serves students who might not gain admission to more selective engineering schools, providing a pathway into the field.

The caveat? With fewer than 30 graduates in the dataset, these numbers could shift significantly year-to-year. For Kansas families considering biomedical engineering, this represents a local option that won't bury students in debt, though they should understand that higher-paying opportunities may require relocating after graduation. If your child wants to work in Kansas's medical device or healthcare sector, this program provides reasonable entry at a manageable cost.