Biomedical Engineering major

Biomedical Engineering: courses, careers, and where to study

Biomedical Engineering applies engineering to medicine and biology, designing medical devices, imaging systems, and biomaterials, for students who want to improve healthcare through technology.

A Biomedical Engineering (BME) major applies engineering principles to medicine and biology. A typical ABET-accredited bachelor of science builds on calculus, differential equations, physics, chemistry, and biology, then adds biomechanics, biomaterials, biomedical instrumentation, medical imaging, systems physiology, and biosignal processing, usually finishing with a senior capstone design project, often built with a clinical or industry partner.

Graduates design and test medical devices, prosthetics and implants, imaging and monitoring systems, and the software behind them, and they work in medical-device companies, hospitals, research labs, and regulatory roles. Because the field spans engineering and the life sciences, students often concentrate in an area such as biomechanics, biomaterials, bioinstrumentation, or imaging, and many continue to a master's, PhD, or professional health program.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 5.2% employment growth for bioengineers and biomedical engineers from 2024 to 2034, and reports a 2024 median wage of $106,950 for the occupation. The typical entry-level education is a bachelor's degree, though research and design roles often expect a graduate degree.

Academic classification (CIP)

In the federal Classification of Instructional Programs, Biomedical Engineering maps to CIP 14.0501, Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering, within the ENGINEERING family. The official definition:

A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of biomedical and health systems and products such as integrated biomedical systems, instrumentation, medical information systems, artificial organs and prostheses, and health management and care delivery systems.

Source: U.S. Department of Education (NCES), Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) 2020. View on nces.ed.gov

What you'll study

  • Biomechanics and the mechanics of biological tissues
  • Biomaterials and biocompatibility
  • Biomedical instrumentation and sensors
  • Medical imaging (MRI, CT, ultrasound) and image processing
  • Systems physiology and quantitative biology
  • Biosignal processing and circuits for medical devices
  • Design controls, regulation (FDA), and quality for medical devices
  • Senior capstone design project, often with a clinical or industry partner

Typical careers

Typical salary range: BLS, 2024 bioengineers and biomedical engineers median $106,950Ranges are early-career estimates. Any BLS figure shown is the occupation-wide median across all experience levels, not a starting wage, and is informational only.

Before you commit to a Biomedical Engineering major

CampusPin does not rank programs. Use these prompts to pressure-test whether a specific Biomedical Engineering program fits your goals, they are decision questions, not claims about any school.

Ask the Biomedical Engineering department

  • Which concentrations or specializations are offered, and which faculty lead them?
  • What does the typical course sequence look like, and how much is required vs. elective?
  • What labs, studios, clinical placements, or research opportunities are available to undergraduates?
  • Is there a capstone, thesis, internship, or co-op requirement?

Ask current students & check the curriculum

  • How heavy is the workload, and how accessible is the faculty?
  • What internships or co-ops did you do, and where do recent graduates end up?
  • Does the required curriculum actually match the careers listed above?
  • How easy is it to add a minor, double major, or switch tracks later?
Accreditation & licensure: Engineering and some computing programs may hold ABET accreditation, which can matter for professional licensure (the PE path) and for some employers and graduate schools. Check whether the Biomedical Engineering programs you are considering are accredited for your goals.
Degree level & graduate study: Many Biomedical Engineeringcareers are open with a bachelor's degree, but some, such as research, advanced-practice, or licensure-track roles, require a master's or doctorate. Check the typical entry-level education on each linked career page above before assuming a bachelor's is enough.

Find a Biomedical Engineering program

CampusPin lists U.S. universities and community colleges that offer Biomedical Engineering programs. Filter by state, tuition, school size, acceptance rate, and campus setting, no account required.

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How this guide is sourced

This is an editorial guide from the CampusPin Editorial Team. Career and wage figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, occupation-wide medians across all experience levels, not starting wages, and link to each career page. Program availability comes from CampusPin's free institution search; CampusPin does not assert that any specific school offers this exact major until that program data is verified. Last reviewed 2026-06-15. How CampusPin sources data · Report a correction.