by our College Data Analytics Team
[Biomedical Engineering](/majors/engineering/biomedical-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying biomedical engineering schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose biomedical engineering graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked Northwestern University the top school for biomedical engineering graduate earnings in Illinois. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Biomedical Engineering graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of about $129,919 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned it the #2 place for biomedical engineering. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. After graduating, biomedical engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign typically earn about $103,191 annually.
University Of Illinois At Chicago produces some of the highest-paid graduates in biomedical engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a public institution. Biomedical Engineering graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of about $86,517 a year early in their careers.
Illinois Institute Of Technology came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying biomedical engineering schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, biomedical engineering degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology typically earn about $72,853 annually.
Northern Illinois University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying biomedical engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a public institution. Students who complete the biomedical engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $54,047.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries biomedical engineering graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 5 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.