Best Biomedical/Medical Engineering Schools in California

California has 15 colleges offering Biomedical/Medical Engineering programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 544 recent graduates. Graduates earn $55,799 on average within two years, roughly in line with the national average of $57,684.

School choice matters significantly: University of California-Los Angeles graduates earn $61,020 while University of the Pacific graduates earn $33,993 — a $27,027 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

Schools in CA

$55,799

CA Avg. Earnings

$57,684

National Avg.

127

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Biomedical/Medical Engineering in California

Public Schools (11)

$56,180

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (3)

$53,593

avg. 2yr earnings

Public schools in California produce comparable or higher early earnings for Biomedical/Medical Engineering graduates, often at lower cost — making them strong value options.

Biomedical/Medical Engineering Schools in California, Ranked by Earnings

University of California-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public

$61,020

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 8.7%

Santa Clara University

Santa Clara, CA · Private

$64,773

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $51,460

Graduates: 18

Acceptance: 43.8%

University of California-Berkeley

Berkeley, CA · Public

$63,005

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $53,573

Graduates: 32

Acceptance: 11.7%

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA · Public

$73,635

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $72,746

Graduates: 42

Acceptance: 29.8%

California State University-Long Beach

Long Beach, CA · Public

$73,949

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $65,701

Graduates: 17

Acceptance: 47.1%

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA · Private

$62,012

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $53,160

Graduates: 42

Acceptance: 10.0%

University of California-San Diego

La Jolla, CA · Public

$55,964

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $45,324

Graduates: 45

Acceptance: 24.5%

University of California-Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, CA · Public

$48,823

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $53,515

Graduates: 45

Acceptance: 62.5%

University of California-Davis

Davis, CA · Public

$50,856

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $51,679

Graduates: 98

Acceptance: 41.6%

#10

University of California-Irvine

Irvine, CA · Public

$48,432

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $51,200

Graduates: 82

Acceptance: 25.6%

#11

University of California-Riverside

Riverside, CA · Public

$49,214

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $43,664

Graduates: 62

Acceptance: 63.3%

#12

University of California-Merced

Merced, CA · Public

$39,729

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $38,420

Graduates: 42

Acceptance: 39.2%

#13

Southern California Institute of Technology

Anaheim, CA · For-Profit

$58,221

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $57,237

Graduates: 19

Acceptance: 87.5%

#14

San Jose State University

San Jose, CA · Public

University of the Pacific

Stockton, CA · Private

$33,993

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 94.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Biomedical/Medical Engineering in California?

University of California-Los Angeles ranks #1 for Biomedical/Medical Engineering in California with median graduate earnings of $61,020 within two years of graduation. There are 15 schools offering Biomedical/Medical Engineering programs in the state.

How much do Biomedical/Medical Engineering graduates earn in California?

Biomedical/Medical Engineering graduates in California earn an average of $55,799 within two years of graduation. This is 3% below the national average of $57,684 for this major.

What is the hardest Biomedical/Medical Engineering school to get into in California?

University of California-Los Angeles is the most selective Biomedical/Medical Engineering program in California with an acceptance rate of 8.7%. The average acceptance rate across Biomedical/Medical Engineering programs in the state is 44.7%.

Should I attend a public or private school for Biomedical/Medical Engineering in California?

In California, private Biomedical/Medical Engineering programs produce average earnings of $53,593 vs $56,180 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 11 public and 3 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in California

Construction Management $81,700 Construction Engineering $81,610 Construction Engineering Technologies $76,343 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions $75,984 Computer Science $72,889 Computer Engineering $72,447 Dental Support Services and Allied Professions $71,074 Computer and Information Sciences, General $68,388

All colleges in California →

Biomedical/Medical Engineering in Other States

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Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release.