2026 Best Value Bioengineering & Biomedical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Bioengineering & Biomedical Engineering](/majors/engineering/biomedical-engineering/bioengineering-biomedical-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 41 schools to find the best return on investment for bioengineering & biomedical engineering students.
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2026 Best Value Bioengineering & Biomedical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the bioengineering & biomedical engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Bioengineering & Biomedical Engineering Schools
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #1 spot for value among bioengineering & biomedical engineering schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for bioengineering & biomedical engineering graduates is $19,500. Early-career bioengineering & biomedical engineering graduates make about $72,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in bioengineering & biomedical engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Bioengineering & Biomedical Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, bioengineering & biomedical engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $55,011. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Students looking for strong value in bioengineering & biomedical engineering will find it at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #3. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Bioengineering & Biomedical Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Early-career bioengineering & biomedical engineering graduates make about $83,301. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned it the #4 place for bioengineering & biomedical engineering. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Bioengineering & Biomedical Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,850 in student loans. Early-career bioengineering & biomedical engineering graduates make about $71,485. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in bioengineering & biomedical engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Bioengineering & Biomedical Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,729 in student loans. Soon after graduation, bioengineering & biomedical engineering degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $71,852. Set against $20,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Dearborn ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value bioengineering & biomedical engineering schools. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Bioengineering & Biomedical Engineering graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Bioengineering & Biomedical Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $38,593 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University came in at #7 for value in bioengineering & biomedical engineering this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Bioengineering & Biomedical Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,521 in student loans. Soon after graduation, bioengineering & biomedical engineering degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $54,047. Set against $20,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Wayne State University came in at #8 for value in bioengineering & biomedical engineering this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for bioengineering & biomedical engineering graduates is $19,395. Early-career bioengineering & biomedical engineering graduates make about $66,723. That is a strong return on a $19,395 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Akron Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value bioengineering & biomedical engineering schools. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Typical student debt for bioengineering & biomedical engineering graduates is $23,246. Soon after graduation, bioengineering & biomedical engineering degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $61,226. That is a strong return on a $23,246 median debt. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
Michigan Technological University earned the #10 position for value in bioengineering & biomedical engineering this year. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,532, with out-of-state students paying around $44,807. Bioengineering & Biomedical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career bioengineering & biomedical engineering graduates make about $63,831. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #11 position for value in bioengineering & biomedical engineering this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical student debt for bioengineering & biomedical engineering graduates is $20,492. Bioengineering & Biomedical Engineering graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $78,387 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Wright State University Main Campus landed the #12 spot for bioengineering & biomedical engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, while out-of-state students pay about $20,691. Bioengineering & Biomedical Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,246 in student loans. Early-career bioengineering & biomedical engineering graduates make about $45,570. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland State University landed the #13 spot for bioengineering & biomedical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Students borrow a median of $26,336 to complete the bioengineering & biomedical engineering program here. Bioengineering & Biomedical Engineering graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $49,648 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire placed #14 among the best values for bioengineering & biomedical engineering. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,642, compared with $19,228 for out-of-state students. Bioengineering & Biomedical Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,574 in student loans. Bioengineering & Biomedical Engineering graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of $49,911 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value bioengineering & biomedical engineering schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for bioengineering & biomedical engineering graduates is $23,125. Soon after graduation, bioengineering & biomedical engineering degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $65,469. That is a strong return on a $23,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
University Of Toledo ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value bioengineering & biomedical engineering schools. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,157 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. Bioengineering & Biomedical Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. Early-career bioengineering & biomedical engineering graduates make about $69,711. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value bioengineering & biomedical engineering schools. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the bioengineering & biomedical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, bioengineering & biomedical engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $50,472. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois Institute Of Technology came in at #18 for value in bioengineering & biomedical engineering this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,202. Bioengineering & Biomedical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, bioengineering & biomedical engineering degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $48,572. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Valparaiso University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value bioengineering & biomedical engineering schools. Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Valparaiso. Students from in state pay about $48,450 in tuition and fees. Bioengineering & Biomedical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,724 in student loans. Soon after graduation, bioengineering & biomedical engineering degree recipients from Valparaiso University generally make around $51,987. Set against $26,724 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #20 among the best values for bioengineering & biomedical engineering. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Bioengineering & Biomedical Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career bioengineering & biomedical engineering graduates make about $72,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Indiana Institute Of Technology placed #21 among the best values for bioengineering & biomedical engineering. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,361. Typical student debt for bioengineering & biomedical engineering graduates is $36,380. Bioengineering & Biomedical Engineering graduates of Indiana Institute Of Technology earn a median of $56,185 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $36,380 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern University landed the #22 spot for bioengineering & biomedical engineering value this year. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Bioengineering & Biomedical Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,063 in student loans. Bioengineering & Biomedical Engineering graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $74,631 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,063 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Milwaukee School Of Engineering landed the #23 spot for bioengineering & biomedical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee School Of Engineering is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,480. Bioengineering & Biomedical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Bioengineering & Biomedical Engineering graduates of Milwaukee School Of Engineering earn a median of $70,090 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
Trine University landed the #24 spot for bioengineering & biomedical engineering value this year. Set in the town of Angola, Trine University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $36,560. Bioengineering & Biomedical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career bioengineering & biomedical engineering graduates make about $67,702. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Trine University admits about 86% of applicants.
Miami University Oxford ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value bioengineering & biomedical engineering schools. Miami University Oxford is a large public school located in the town of Oxford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,519, with out-of-state students paying around $38,965. Typical student debt for bioengineering & biomedical engineering graduates is $27,000. Bioengineering & Biomedical Engineering graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of $58,914 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Miami University Oxford admits about 75% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Bioengineering & Biomedical Engineering Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in bioengineering & biomedical engineering:
Narrow Bioengineering & Biomedical Engineering Schools by State
More Bioengineering & Biomedical Engineering Rankings
View All Bioengineering & Biomedical Engineering Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
