What Are Some Well-Known Biomedical Engineering Schools?

Get info on what to look for in a school with a strong program in biomedical engineering. Explore three schools with nationally ranked biomedical engineering programs, and learn the characteristics of a good school offering this program. Review the degree options and areas of concentration each school offers in this field.

<h2 id="section---WhatMakesATopBiomedicalEngineeringProgram">What Makes a Top Biomedical Engineering Program</h2> <p>Excellent programs in biomedical engineering will give you a solid grounding in science and biomedical concepts, while providing you with research opportunities that are of academic interest or occupational relevance. In order to support a variety of research options, faculty members in the biomedical engineering department should have diverse interests. Through exposure to a broad education, you should be able to confront professional, ethical and social problems that relate to biomedical engineering. </p> <h2 id="section---WhatAreThreeTopBiomedicalEngineeringPrograms">What Are Three Top Biomedical Engineering Programs?</h2> <h3 id="section---DukeUniversityPrattInDurhamNC">Duke University (Pratt) in Durham, NC</h3> <p>In 2019, <i>U.S. News &amp; World Report</i> tied Duke University (Pratt) at third place on the list of 'Best Biomedical/Bioengineering Grad Schools'. Duke's nationally recognized biomedical engineering program combines interdisciplinary research with practical, hands-on education. Some of the biomedical research areas at Duke University include cell and tissue engineering, medical imaging, cardiovascular systems, systems neuroscience, bioinformatics and computational modeling. The graduate programs are designed to prepare you for academic teaching positions or careers in biomedical research. Duke offers the following degrees in biomedical engineering: </p> <ul><li>Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering </li><li>Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering </li><li>Master of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering </li><li>Doctorate in Biomedical Engineering </li></ul><h3 id="section---JohnsHopkinsUniversityInBaltimoreMD">Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD</h3> <p>The Department of Biomedical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University has been a leader in biomedical research for about 45 years. Faculty research interests include neuroscience, bioinformatics, tissue engineering, methylomics, stem cells, bioreactors and gene therapy. At the undergraduate level, you could choose from several focus areas, such as cellular tissue engineering, systems biology and computational biology. Johns Hopkins also offers a master's program and a doctoral program that could prepare you for academic careers and research positions. The following degrees are available from the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University: </p> <ul><li>Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering </li><li>Master of Science and Engineering in Biomedical Engineering </li><li>Doctorate in Biomedical Engineering </li></ul><h3 id="section---MassachusettsInstituteOfTechnologyInCambridgeMA">Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA</h3> <p>The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) was ranked first place for best biomedical graduate university in 2019 by <i>U.S. News &amp; World Report</i>. MIT's Department of Biomedical Engineering attempts to synthesize engineering concepts with molecular life sciences. You'd have access to a broad spectrum of interdisciplinary laboratories and research centers that focus on a variety of specialties, including environmental health, integrative cellular systems, gynepathology and comparative medicine. Research topics could include biomolecular engineering, biomaterials, genetic toxicology, infectious diseases and immunology, macromolecular biochemistry, synthetic biology and microbial systems. The Department of Biomedical Engineering at MIT offers the follow degrees: </p> <ul><li>Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering </li><li>Doctorate in Applied Biosciences </li><li>Doctorate in Bioengineering </li></ul><h2 id="section---TopSchoolsForBiomedicalEngineeringMajors">Top Schools for Biomedical Engineering Majors</h2> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th>College/University </th><th>Institution Type</th><th>Location</th><th>Estimated Graduate In-State Tuition*</th></tr> <tr><td>Vanderbilt University</td><td>4- year, Private</td><td> Nashville, TN</td><td>$48,000</td></tr> <tr><td>University of Michigan--Ann Arbor </td><td>4- year, Public </td><td>Ann Arbor, MI</td><td>$23,000</td></tr> <tr><td>Boston University</td><td> 4-year, Private </td><td>Boston, MA</td><td>$53,000</td></tr> <tr><td>Rice University (Brown)</td><td> 4-year, Private </td><td>Houston, TX</td><td>$38,000</td></tr> <tr><td>University of California--Berkeley </td><td>4- year, Public </td><td>Berkeley, CA</td><td>$14,000</td></tr> <tr><td>University of Virginia</td><td>4- year, Public</td><td> Charlottesville, VA</td><td>$19,000</td></tr> <tr><td>University of California--San Diego (Jacobs) </td><td>4- year, Public </td><td>La Jolla, CA</td><td>$13,500</td></tr> <tr><td>Northwestern University</td><td>4-year, Private</td><td> Evanston, IL</td><td>$55,000</td></tr> <tr><td>University of Minnesota--Twin Cities (Carlson)</td><td>4- year, Public </td><td>Minneapolis, MN</td><td>$18,500</td></tr> <tr><td>University of California--Davis</td><td>4- year, Public </td><td>Davis, CA</td><td>$13,500</td></tr> </table><p><i>*Source: NCES, U.S. Department of Education</i></p>