Top 7 Free Online Biomedical Engineering Degrees 2027

Biomedical engineering applies engineering principles to medicine and biology, from prosthetics and imaging systems to diagnostic equipment and surgical tools. Because the field depends on labs and design projects, fully online options are less common than in many majors, but a growing number of universities now offer them.

Below, you'll find ways to lower your costs, seven online programs ranging from bachelor's to master's level, and typical costs, timelines, and career data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Read on to see which route fits your background and budget.

Disclaimer: The schools advertised on Learn.org do not guarantee free tuition. Tuition-free programs do not always mean zero cost to attend. In some cases, eligibility for low-cost college education is limited by state residency, income thresholds, employer partnerships, or other requirements. Always verify with the individual school or program to understand what is covered and what out-of-pocket expenses you may still be responsible for.

Are There Free Online Biomedical Engineering Degrees?

No, no accredited biomedical engineering degree is free for everyone. Every program charges tuition and fees, and engineering programs often add lab fees, software costs, and materials for design projects.

You can still bring the price down considerably. Federal aid, employer tuition assistance, scholarships, and accelerated bachelor's-to-master's pathways can all reduce what you pay, and some students cover most or all of their tuition by combining several sources.

What "Free" Really Means for an Online Biomedical Engineering Degree

When a program is described as free, it typically means grants, scholarships, or an employer benefit cover tuition for students who meet specific conditions. Books, fees, equipment, and living costs usually remain your responsibility.

Biomedical engineering adds a few considerations. Most online master's programs are built for working engineers and expect an engineering or closely related bachelor's degree, and many of the generous tuition guarantees at the undergraduate level don't extend to graduate study. Undergraduate programs may also require lab kits or short campus sessions, so ask each school what hands-on work involves and what it costs.

Ways to Make an Online Biomedical Engineering Degree Low-Cost

Students who pay the least combine several strategies. The options below matter most for biomedical engineering students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Complete the FAFSA and Explore Federal Aid

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens the door to Pell Grants for eligible undergraduates and federal loans, including Direct Unsubsidized Loans, for graduate students. Many schools also use your federal application to award institutional scholarships.

File early each year, since some funds are limited. Online students at accredited schools qualify for the same federal aid as students on campus.

Use Employer Tuition Assistance

Many medical device manufacturers, hospitals, and research organizations offer tuition assistance, especially for employees who move into engineering or technical roles. Under federal tax rules, employers can generally provide up to $5,250 per year in educational assistance without it counting as taxable income to you.

Ask your human resources department about eligible programs, reimbursement timing, and any commitment to stay after you finish. Online master's programs designed for working professionals pair especially well with this benefit.

Consider Accelerated Bachelor's-to-Master's Programs

Some universities let you begin graduate coursework while finishing your bachelor's degree, with a limited number of credits counting toward both. The University of North Dakota, for example, offers an online accelerated pathway that lets students double count up to 12 graduate-level credits.

Overlapping credits can shorten your time to a master's degree and reduce total tuition. Check admission requirements, since accelerated programs often require a minimum GPA and faculty recommendations.

Apply for Scholarships and Fellowships

Universities, engineering departments, and professional societies offer scholarships for engineering students, and some are open to online students. Graduate programs may also offer fellowships or assistantships, though these are more common for on-campus research students.

Contact each department directly to ask about awards available to online students. Applying to several smaller scholarships each term can add up.

Transfer Credits and Start at a Community College

If you're pursuing a bachelor's degree, completing calculus, physics, chemistry, and general education courses at a community college can lower your costs. These courses often transfer into engineering programs as long as they meet the receiving school's requirements.

Request a transfer evaluation before you enroll, and confirm which math and science courses your target program will accept. Policies vary widely, so a few emails can save you a semester of tuition.

Use Military and Veteran Benefits

Veterans, service members, and eligible family members may be able to use the GI Bill or military tuition assistance toward an accredited engineering program. These benefits can often be combined with grants and scholarships.

Many universities have veteran services offices that can walk you through the process. Confirm that your online program is approved for the benefits you plan to use.

Low-Cost Online Colleges With Biomedical Engineering Degrees

The programs below offer online biomedical engineering or closely related degrees at accessible prices. Only a few schools offer fully online bachelor's degrees in the field, so most entries are master's programs for students who already hold an engineering or related degree.

1. Arizona State University

Arizona State University offers an online Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Biomedical Engineering, one of the few ABET-accredited online bachelor's programs in the field. The program combines interactive coursework, laboratory instruction, and remote research experience, and topics include biomedical instrument design and construction and product design and development processes.

ASU notes that an engineering degree, preferably in biomedical engineering, is a prerequisite for admission to its engineering-based medical program, which makes this degree appealing if medical school is part of your plan. The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), and the engineering program holds accreditation from the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

2. University of North Dakota

The University of North Dakota lets you earn a BS in Biomedical Engineering online or on campus, with the same program offered in both formats. The curriculum uses an innovation-based learning approach that covers topics such as biomedical imaging and introduces engineering principles of biomedical devices, and internships give online students hands-on experience.

If you already hold an engineering degree, UND also offers an online MS in Biomedical Engineering with thesis and non-thesis options totaling 30 credits, and an accelerated bachelor's-to-master's pathway you can complete online in about five years. The BS program is accredited by ABET, and UND is accredited by HLC.

3. Colorado State University

Colorado State University's Master of Engineering with a biomedical engineering specialization is a 30-credit, coursework-only degree designed for working engineers. You can complete it entirely online or on campus, and classes taught on campus are recorded and posted for online students.

The online program has a similar curriculum to the campus version with fewer electives, so not every on-campus course is currently available online. Topics include cell and tissue engineering, biomedical signal processing, and materials engineering, and CSU is accredited by HLC.

4. Southern Illinois University

Southern Illinois University offers its MS in Biomedical Engineering fully online, with thesis and non-thesis options and a total of 30 graduate credit hours. The program blends advanced coursework with research opportunities and is tailored to students who are working while they study.

High-achieving undergraduates can look into the accelerated master's pathway, which requires a GPA of at least 3.0 over roughly the last 60 credit hours and faculty recommendations. Some courses require safety glasses, and SIU is accredited by HLC.

5. Wayne State University

Wayne State University's online MS in Biomedical Engineering concentrates on injury biomechanics, preparing you for work in impact biomechanics, accident reconstruction, and vehicle safety. The 30-credit program requires Quantitative Physiology, Computer and Mathematical Applications in Biomedical Engineering, and a seminar, with electives such as vehicle safety engineering and impact biomechanics.

Admission generally requires a bachelor's degree in engineering, though related non-engineering degrees may be considered. Students who aren't sure about a full master's can start with the department's bridge graduate certificate in injury biomechanics, and Wayne State is accredited by HLC.

6. University of California, Riverside

The University of California, Riverside offers a Master of Science in Engineering with a specialization in bioengineering that you can complete 100% online with no residency requirement. Coursework totals 36 credits, split between general engineering leadership courses and bioengineering classes such as engineering analysis of physiological systems and cellular and molecular engineering.

The program can be completed in as little as 13 months, which makes it one of the faster paths on this list. UCR is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

7. California State University, Northridge

California State University, Northridge offers an online Master of Science in Assistive Technology Engineering, a closely related path for students interested in biomedical engineering applications. It serves both new entrants and mid-career professionals who want to focus or redirect their careers toward assistive technology and rehabilitation-oriented engineering.

Because this is a related degree rather than a general biomedical engineering program, confirm that its curriculum matches your goals. CSUN is accredited by WSCUC.

How We Rank Schools

To create this list, we review data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), along with program-level details published by each university. Biomedical engineering adds extra considerations, including program-level ABET accreditation, lab and project delivery, and whether admission requires a prior engineering degree.

Programs that are fully accredited, clearly describe how hands-on work is delivered online, and keep costs low for online students rank higher than those with limited transparency. Four criteria guide each placement:

• Accreditation: Regionally accredited institutions are the only ones considered, and ABET accreditation of the engineering program is a significant additional signal where it applies.
• Affordability and financial aid: Per-credit costs, net price, accelerated pathways, and available scholarships or employer-friendly formats all shape a school's standing.
• Online availability: Programs must deliver core coursework online, with labs, projects, and any campus requirements described clearly.
• Student outcomes: College Scorecard data on graduation rates and post-enrollment earnings offers insight into how students fare after they enroll.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.

How Much Does an Online Biomedical Engineering Degree Cost?

At the undergraduate level, many public universities charge roughly $200 to $700 per credit hour for online courses, which works out to about $24,000 to $84,000 in tuition for a 120-credit bachelor's degree. Engineering programs often carry higher fees than other majors, and private schools and some out-of-state rates run higher still.

Online master's programs typically require 30 to 36 credits, and per-credit rates often exceed undergraduate rates, so total tuition varies widely from one program to the next. Employer assistance, federal aid, and accelerated pathways can offset a meaningful share, but budget for lab fees, software, and materials regardless of level.

How Long Does It Take To Earn a Biomedical Engineering Degree Online?

A bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering typically takes about four years of full-time study, since it requires roughly 120 credits and a sequence of math, science, and engineering courses. Transfer credits from a community college can shorten that timeline.

Online master's programs are generally completed in one to two years, depending on the course load. Programs such as UC Riverside's can finish in as little as 13 months, while part-time students working full time should expect a longer timeline. Accelerated bachelor's-to-master's pathways can compress the total to about five years.

How To Choose the Right Low-Cost Biomedical Engineering Degree

Price matters, but the program's accreditation, format, and admission requirements can matter more. Weigh the criteria below before you apply.

• ABET accreditation: Confirm that the engineering program holds ABET accreditation, since many employers and graduate programs look for it.
• Degree level and admission requirements: Decide whether you need a bachelor's degree or a master's program, and check whether the master's program requires an ABET-accredited engineering degree.
• Labs and hands-on work: Ask how laboratory instruction, design projects, and research experience are delivered online, and whether any campus visits are required.
• Course availability online: Some programs offer fewer electives online than on campus, so review the current online course list.
• Specialization: Programs differ in focus, from general biomedical engineering to injury biomechanics or assistive technology, so match the curriculum to your career goals.
• Total cost and aid: Compare net price, fees, and employer or federal aid compatibility rather than tuition alone.
• Pathways to further study: If you may pursue a master's or doctorate later, consider schools with accelerated pathways or thesis options.

Career Outlook With an Online Biomedical Engineering Degree

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), bioengineers and biomedical engineers earn a median annual wage of $109,370, and employment is projected to grow 8% through 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. The BLS expects about 1,200 openings each year, and these engineers typically need a bachelor's degree in bioengineering, biomedical engineering, or a related engineering field.

A graduate degree can expand your options. The BLS notes that leading a research team typically calls for a graduate degree, and engineers interested in basic research may become medical scientists, who typically need a doctoral or professional degree and earn a median annual wage of $103,410. Others move into management, patent law, or medicine as they gain experience and education.

FAQs About Free Online Biomedical Engineering Degree Programs

The answers below address common concerns about free learning options and what they mean for your path into the field. They'll help you set realistic expectations as you compare programs.

Are There Free Online Biomedical Engineering Courses?

Yes, free courses exist online. Platforms such as Coursera and edX often let you audit introductory engineering and biology courses, and Khan Academy offers free math, physics, and biology lessons that build the foundation biomedical engineering requires. These resources can help you prepare or test your interest, but they don't carry degree credit or replace ABET-accredited coursework.

Are There Free Online Biomedical Engineering Certificates?

Some platforms offer free certificates of completion for short courses, and a few universities offer graduate certificates in specialized areas, though these carry tuition. A free certificate can show initiative on your resume, but it isn't a substitute for an accredited degree. If you want a credential with academic weight, consider a graduate certificate from an accredited school that can later count toward a master's degree.

Is a Free Online Biomedical Engineering Degree Respected by Employers?

Employers focus on whether your school and engineering program are accredited, not on how you paid for your degree. An online degree from an accredited university carries the same value as an on-campus degree, and many schools don't note the online format on transcripts or diplomas. ABET accreditation is an especially important signal in engineering.

Do Online Biomedical Engineering Programs Include Hands-On Lab Work?

Many do, though the format varies. Arizona State, for example, describes interactive coursework, laboratory instruction, and remote research experience for its online bachelor's degree, while graduate programs tend to be coursework-focused or research-based. Ask each school how labs and projects are handled and whether any campus visits are required.

Do I Need an Engineering Degree To Enter an Online Master's Program?

Often, yes. Programs such as UND's and Wayne State's generally expect a bachelor's degree from an ABET-accredited engineering program or a closely related field, and applicants with other backgrounds may be admitted with conditions or asked to complete prerequisite courses first. Review each program's admission requirements before you apply.

Find Affordable Online Biomedical Engineering Programs

Learn.org brings online biomedical engineering programs together in one place so you can compare costs, formats, and aid options side by side. Browse programs through Learn.org and connect directly with schools to get personalized information about admission requirements, lab arrangements, and financial aid.