Most Affordable Online Master's In Biomedical Engineering Degrees

A ranking of the most affordable online master's in biomedical engineering degrees. Programs ranked by affordability, flexibility, and academic quality.
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Updated February 22, 2023

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Most Affordable Online Master's in Biomedical Engineering Degrees Badge

Be a part of the cure with one of the nation’s most affordable online master’s in biomedical engineering degrees.

Are you currently working in a STEM field but want to branch out into healthcare? Are you passionate about the intersection of technology and human advancement? Do you want to develop management skills to become a technical leader?

Then perhaps a graduate degree in biomedical engineering is the next best step for you!

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What kind of online master’s in biomedical engineering should you get?

Each one of these programs ensures a strong foundation in biomechanics, nanotechnology, and genetics. However, they each vary in their emphasis, requirements, and research strengths. For example, while Harvard prioritizes nanotechnology, UIUC emphasizes the importance of leadership formation.

Whatever program best fits your career goals and needs, just know that these programs are offered fully to mostly online. You’ll complete your coursework at home, with some trips made to campus.

Because you’re considering an affordable online degree you probably already know that distance education is a flexible and affordable way to advance your career. Even so, you may still want to check out College Choice’s Most Affordable Online Colleges and Universities for a Master's Degree.

How much money do people make with an online master’s in biomedical engineering?

Not only is the healthcare industry booming, it’s lucrative too. Biomedical engineers make on average $88,000 a year according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. PayScale notes, however, that with added experience and training, which comes with a master’s degree, one can make upwards of $96,000 annually.

And with ongoing advances in biotechnology, genetics, and tissue engineering, the need for people with an advanced degree in biomedical engineering is on the rise. It’s projected that the job market will grow another 7 percent in just the next few years.

 
 

What can you do with an online master’s in biomedical engineering?

With a degree in biomedical engineering you will be at the doorstep to some of the most elite careers in healthcare. Whether you want to find a career in the research lab or classroom, a master’s in biomedical engineering will help you get there.

Graduates from the programs below have secured rewarding, high-paying, exciting careers in:

What are the requirements for an online master’s in biomedical engineering?

Though these degrees take on average two years to complete, some can be earned in as few as 18 months. Whether you study full or part time, though, you can expect your first year to be full of foundational classes. These will probably cover:

Then once you’re in your second year you will have the opportunity to explore diverse areas of biomedical engineering. You can even specialize, through electives or through formal concentrations. We’ve been sure to note which programs offer such. Likewise, you may have to present a thesis or capstone project at the end of your program too. We’ve been sure to note this where applicable too.

What are the most affordable online master’s in biomedical engineering?

To find the nation’s most affordable master’s in biomedical engineering programs, we first looked for those offered fully or mostly online. From there we did some hard math, looking at tuition rates, financial resources, and scholarship opportunities.

What we found are those schools offering the best return on investment and the most affordable entry into the elite industry of biotechnology. These five programs are not just the most affordable, but are housed within some of the world’s most prestigious universities.

Our figures and information come from the university and colleges’ websites, PayScale, and nationally recognized U.S. News & World Report and The National Center for Education Statistics.

Most Affordable Online Master's in Biomedical Engineering Degrees

See our rankings methodology page.

  1. Purdue University
    Location

    Hammond, IN

    Tuition

    $11693

    View School Profile

    OverviewPurdue University is a renowned research university located in the Midwest. Based in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue is a flagship university known for its strengths in STEM research and education. More than 40,000 combined undergraduate and graduate students attend Purdue.FeaturesThere are two options for earning an MS in Biomedical Engineering at Purdue. You can take more coursework and participate in research activities, or you can take less courses and write a substantive thesis demonstrating your gained knowledge in the areas of biomaterials, biomechanics, imaging, instrumentation, and more. Graduates have gone on to work in:

    • Cellular and Tissue Engineering
    • Genetics Engineering
    • Rehabilitation Engineering
    NotablesFounded as a school with a focus on agriculture and engineering, Purdue’s engineering programs are among some of the most top-ranked today. The biomedical engineering students are especially privileged to participate in advanced research and to work closely with the Martin C. Jischke Hall of Biomedical Engineering.

  2. Rutgers University
    Location

    Camden, NJ

    Tuition

    $15614

    View School Profile

    OverviewRutgers University is a public, research-committed university located in New Jersey. It is one of the nation’s oldest schools, having been founded before the American Revolution. Today, the University is home to nearly 70,000 students, making it one of the largest schools in the US.FeaturesAt Rutgers you can earn a prestigious MSE in Biomedical Engineering degree online. With broad training in biomedical engineering plus a focus on professional development, this is an ideal program for those who want careers in biotechnology and pharmaceutics. And at Rutgers there are multiple ways to specialize:

    • Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering
    • Biomechanics and Rehabilitation
    • Computational Bioengineering
    • Neuroengineering
    NotablesThe faculty at Rutgers are notable experts and industry leaders in the areas of molecular, cellular, and nanosystems engineering. They also helped design a curriculum for those who want to become researchers in tissue engineering, biomaterials, and drug delivery specifically.

  3. Harvard University
    Location

    Cambridge, MA

    Tuition

    $16205

    View School Profile

    OverviewHarvard University barely needs any introduction. It is the world-renowned Ivy League school located in Cambridge, MA. One of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious universities, Harvard is organized into nearly a dozen colleges and schools, including the highly regarded John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. FeaturesHarvard offers a unique way to study biomedical engineering. They provide an online Master of Liberal Arts degree in Bioengineering and Nanotechnology. It’s important to note that some time spent on Harvard’s campus is required. But otherwise, you will study the ethics and trends of biotechnology from the comforts of home. Classwork covers:

    • Principles and Techniques of Molecular Biology
    • Cell Biology
    • Evolution
    • Principles of Genetics
    NotablesHarvard is a world-class institution. As an online student you will have elite access to Harvard’s prestigious faculty networks, research institutions, library archives, and much more. U.S. News & World Report ranks Harvard second in the nation among all colleges and universities.

  4. Colorado State University
    Location

    Greenwood Village, CO

    Tuition

    $16232

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    OverviewColorado State University is located in Fort Collins, CO. It is the flagship campus within the wider CSU System and is a land-grant, research-based university. CSU is comprised of eight colleges, 33,000 combined undergraduate and graduate students, and 55 academic departments.FeaturesWhen you earn your biomedical engineering degree from Colorado State University you will explore everything from biological physics to bio-inspired surfaces. Additionally, you’ll take professional formation classes such as STEM Communications to ensure your leadership potential upon graduation. Indeed, graduates from CSU have gone on to secure jobs as:

    • Clinical Engineers
    • Biomedical Managers
    • Biomedical Engineering Technician
    • Quality Engineer
    NotablesAt CSU you are guaranteed an interdisciplinary educational experience. The online programs, including the biomedical engineering degrees, were developed with input across more than a dozen departments at CSU. This is also a highly customizable degree, allowing you to fashion a program that suits your career goals and interests.

  5. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
    Location

    Champaign, IL

    Tuition

    $16683

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    OverviewThe Urbana-Champaign campus within the broader University of Illinois System is a flagship university. It is a land-grant school recognized for its substantive research contributions and achievements. Indeed, Carnegie Foundation classifies UIUC as one of the most active research institutes in the nation.FeaturesAT UIUC you have three options for earning a degree in biomedical engineering. You can enroll in the general curriculum, which provides a broad overview of biomechanics and engineering. Or you can specialize in either computational genomics or bioinstrumentation. All concentrations include business skill-building, preparing students to become managers within the healthcare industry. The curriculum covers:

    • Imaging and Sensing
    • Computational and Systems Biology
    • Biomechanics
    • Cell and Tissue Engineering
    NotablesThere are many reasons to consider a degree from UIUC, from its stellar academic rankings to its research contributions. One reason to think specifically about UIUC is its Technology Entrepreneurship Center, which hosts workshops and competitions to give students a leg up in the professional world.

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