30 Best Biomedical Engineering Schools in the World | Complete Guide

biomedical engineering schools

Biomedical engineers are among the highest salary earners across the world and they are in huge demand now due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you are looking to pursue a career as a biomedical engineer, I have compiled a list with details of the best biomedical engineering schools across the world in the UK, the US, Canada, and other parts of the world. All you need to do now is sit back, relax, and read through these BME schools to find the one that is best for you.

Hey there! Would you love to become a biomedical engineer? Even though it is one of the hardest disciplines you still want to pursue a career in the field. This shows that you are determined, resilient, and focused, combine all three with hard work and the sky will be your starting point, in no time, you will achieve your dream, become a certified biomedical engineer, and begin to enjoy the fruit of your labor.

Biomedical engineers are in high demand, there are actually very few of these professionals, and the field is still growing. This presents an opportunity for you to become a professional who is in high demand and be at the forefront of innovations and emerging technologies in biomedical engineering. In addition, there will be a variety of opportunities for you to explore some of which will take you around the world meeting with top governments, business leaders, and other professionals who have made names for themselves as biomedical engineers.

As an aspiring biomedical engineer, the next phase of your life would be to enroll in a biomedical engineering program and kickstart your journey into becoming a biomedical engineer. For that to happen, you need to start doing your research on the best biomedical engineering schools and that is where this article comes in.

I have carefully researched, selected, and curated a list – with details – of the best schools for biomedical engineering that you can apply to. These schools are cut across countries like the UK, Canada, the US, and other countries. All you need to do is relax and go through these schools, carefully, one after the other, to find one that offers you the best value.

These best biomedical engineering schools were assessed and then selected based on their global reputation as a university and in offering biomedical engineering programs, contributions and achievement to the field of biomedical engineering, graduation rate, ranking, student-faculty ratio, top-notch biomedical engineering labs and facilities, and best value for money.

What is Biomedical Engineering?

Biomedical Engineering is the application of engineering principles and design concepts to medicine and biology for healthcare purposes. It is also referred to as Biomedical Technology.

To make this much easier, biomedical engineering is the engineering part of medicine, and biology is mostly used in the healthcare field to promote health. Medical equipment such as ventilators, BP machines, and other medical devices are designed by biomedical engineers to prevent illnesses, improve the health of the public, and save lives.

Aside from designing medical equipment, biomedical engineers also design specialized equipment such as limb replacements and artificial organs, install and provide technical assistance to hospital testing equipment, and work with manufacturing teams to make sure every product is effective and safe.

Biomedical engineers are in high demand, and the COVID-19 pandemic put them in an even higher demand. Going to a school with a strong suit in biomedical engineering is the best way to go about earning a degree and becoming a qualified biomedical engineer.

Talking about degrees, you can earn a bachelor’s, master’s, and even a doctorate in biomedical engineering as long as you meet the requirements to get accepted into the program and also if the school you choose offers the program in the degree you want to pursue.

Where can a Biomedical Engineer work?

With a degree in biomedical engineering, you can work in the following places:

  • Medical establishments/institutions
  • Research and manufacturing facilities and laboratories
  • Government regulatory agencies
  • Universities
  • Pharmaceutical companies
  • Medical device companies
  • Software development companies

As a biomedical engineer in any of the above places, you can hold positions such as;

  • Biomechanical engineer
  • Rehabilitation engineer
  • Clinical engineer
  • Bioengineering researcher or professor
  • Biomedical engineering consultant

What is the Salary of a Biomedical Engineer?

According to US News & World Report, biomedical engineers earn an annual salary ranging from $75,780 to $123,400

To help you pick the best biomedical engineering schools, I have compiled a list of these schools to help you in your selection.

Top Best Biomedical Engineering Schools in the World

The 10 best biomedical engineering schools are:

  • Johns Hopkins University
  • Georgia Institute of Technology
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
  • The University of Toronto (U of T)
  • The University of Tokyo
  • Purdue University
  • Duke University
  • The University of California – Irvine (UCI)
  • Shanghai Jia Tong University
  • Pennsylvania State University

1.      Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University is prestigious for its medical programs, it is a world-class university in the healthcare field and it is not surprising that it ranks among the best biomedical engineering schools. The Whiting School of Engineering and the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine both provide intensive learning to students in the biomedical engineering department.

Bear in mind that Johns Hopkins University is one of the colleges with the lowest acceptance rates, this means that entry into this school is highly competitive so prepare a compelling application that will increase your chances of getting into the BME program.

The biomedical engineering program at Johns Hopkins University leads to a bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. and you can be admitted into any of the programs so far you meet the requirements. Graduates of Hopkins BME go on to become leaders in the industry, medicine, and science solving the world’s problems.

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2.      Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia Institute of Technology is one of the top biomedical engineering schools in the world offering bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs through the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering. Students are equipped with intensive skills and knowledge to improve health and well-being and become global leaders in biomedical engineering.

The innovative curriculum of the school allows students to closely interact with scholars and scientists to solve complex, real-world problems and also be innovative. The school has 10 core facilities with state-of-the-art equipment and tools to educate students with hands-on experiential learning.

Georgia Tech also ranks on our list of best engineering schools in the world with scholarships, so there is a high chance that you will qualify for one of its scholarships to help you offset the expensive tuition.

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3.      Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

MIT is one of the top universities in the world and ranks top among the best engineering colleges in the US, especially in the areas of medicine, engineering, and business. The private higher institute of learning was established in 1861 and has always been at the forefront of providing quality education in a diverse range of fields and academic levels of study.

MIT offers a biomedical engineering program in undergraduate and graduate degrees through its Department of Biological Engineering. Biomedical engineering is called biological engineering here at MIT and it teaches and equips next-generation leaders to improve bioscience and biotechnology by analyzing and synthesizing molecular and cellular biological mechanisms in a quantitative, integrative, and design-oriented manner.

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4.      The University of Toronto (U of T)

The University of Toronto ranks among the best schools in Canada and the world, with a wide range of academic programs at undergraduate and graduate levels of study. The provided programs spread across many spectrums, ranging from medicine and engineering to business and humanities. The university also ranks top for best engineering schools in Canada with scholarships. The scholarships can benefit you if you are selected as it could help you cut down on the cost of the biomedical engineering program.

U of T has an engineering faculty that houses the Institute of Biomedical Engineering which is a multidisciplinary research community where engineering, medicine, and dentistry meet to develop innovative solutions and address global health issues. The department offers a biomedical engineering minor and other research and professional degrees that lead to Ph.D., MA, and MEng.

The research streams focus on clinical engineering, cell and tissue technology, and molecular engineering. If you are looking to enroll in one of the best biomedical engineering schools, you should consider the U of T Institute of Biomedical Engineering.

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5.      The University of Tokyo

The University of Tokyo is one of the best biomedical engineering schools offering undergraduate and graduate degrees along with skills that will help you establish a career in the health engineering industry. The School of Engineering houses the Department of Bioengineering which provides teaching in biomedical engineering.

The department enables students to study and simultaneously acquire knowledge across the multidisciplinary and engineering technology dimensions. Students are further exposed to a range of research opportunities which includes the fields of bio-devices, bio-electronics, and biomaterials.

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6.      Purdue University

Purdue University is one of the best biomedical engineering schools, renowned as a powerhouse of engineering, and has a long tradition of generating highly qualified, industry-ready graduates. The institution houses a College of Engineering that is competitive, and it is also where every biomedical engineering undergraduate will first attend classes for one year.

Students will complete engineering programs here before going to the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering to get equipped with the skills and knowledge that will get them through the industry. The department provides academic degrees that lead to bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.

They also offer cross-disciplinary programs at the graduate level to further enhance your knowledge and skill set of applying biomedical engineering science to other medical fields. With such a massive initiative comes a vast array of resources, connections, and industrial relationships. In fact, at least one co-op, internship, or study abroad is completed by 92 percent of students in the biomedical engineering program at Purdue University.

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7.      Duke University

The Department of Biomedical Engineers at Duke University was one of the world’s first, it was founded in 1967 and has been recognized as a pioneer in the field and is also renowned as one of the best biomedical engineering schools. The BME undergraduate program at Duke was the first accredited BME major in the United States in 1972.

The Division of Biomedical Engineering is under the Pratt School of Engineering, and it was established to train people for a new profession that requires more knowledge about medicine than is possessed by the average engineer and more knowledge in engineering than is possessed by the average doctor.

The BME undergraduate program at Duke is designed to equip you with signature educational experience, immersing you in hands-on design, data science, computing, research, and entrepreneurship to inspire you to become creative engineers well equipped to solve complex real-world problems. You can choose a double-major option with the undergraduate BME plus civil & environmental engineering, computer science, electrical & computer engineering, and mechanical engineering.

To further build your expertise in the field you can continue into the master’s and doctoral programs in BME at Duke University.

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8.      The University of California – Irvine (UCI)

The Samueli School of Engineering at UCI has six academic departments which include Biomedical Engineering. The department ranks among one of the world’s best biomedical engineering schools and it offers an undergraduate, M.S., Ph.D., and a combined M.D./Ph.D. degrees in biomedical engineering in conjunction with the UCI College of Medicine.

The department is aimed at tackling issues at the intersection of engineering, biology, and medicine, to improve global health while driving the economic growth of the region, state, and nation. Domestic, as well as international students, who meet the entry requirements at any level of study, will be accepted without delay.

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9.      Shanghai Jia Tong University

Shanghai Jia Tong University in China ranks among the top best biomedical engineering schools offering a solid foundational knowledge of biomedical engineering to undergraduates and offering more in-depth, extensive teaching to students in the masters and doctoral levels of study. Students at every level of study are also open to pursuing research opportunities.

The research opportunities open students to hands-on experiential learning which is carried out at the school’s cutting-edge facilities. They also engage with top scientists and scholars to solve complex real-life problems and promote health both at home and abroad.

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10.  Pennsylvania State University

On our final list of best biomedical engineering schools in the world is the Pennsylvania State University’s Department of Biomedical Engineering. The department offers a special path for scientifically minded students who want to promote health by combining medicine with engineering and developing unique tools to see that certain individuals receive top-notch medical care.

By joining two rigorous disciplines in one challenging academic program and offering it via four concentrations in biochemistry, biomechanics, biomaterials, and medical imaging and tools, students are trained to become the best in the field. They also benefit from various international opportunities which allow them to engage in research activities with some of the world’s best.

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These are the 10 top best biomedical engineering schools but this isn’t the end of this article. Below, I have discussed more of the best biomedical engineering schools according to the location to help aspiring students in those locations, as well as students from other countries or states, facilitate their admission.

Best Biomedical Engineering Schools in Canada

It is no longer news that Canada is among the top 5 study hubs in the world, the institutions here offer a diverse range of programs that are ranked among the world’s best, therefore, students from almost every country are here to pursue a degree of their choice.

The institutions offer quality education and top-notch degrees recognized and accepted by HRs in any organization, company, or firm anywhere in the world. However, the downside of going to study in Canada is the high cost of education for international students but you can get an opportunity of winning a scholarship to offset your tuition. The “recommendations” at the end of this article will help you further in seeking scholarships as an international student in Canada.

The best biomedical engineering schools in Canada are:

  • The University of British Columbia (UBC)
  • The University of Alberta
  • McGill University
  • The University of Waterloo
  • Western University

1.      The University of British Columbia (UBC)

Aside from having a department that is one of Canada’s best biomedical engineering schools, UBC is renowned as one of the top universities in Canada and globally, offering quality education in a diverse range of academic programs from business and engineering to medicine and law.

UBC’s Faculty of Applied Science and Faculty of Medicine collaborate to create the School of Biomedical Engineering that offers academic programs that lead to BSc, MEng, MASc, and Ph.D. degrees. The BME undergraduate program streams across Cellular Bioengineering, Biomedical Systems & Signals, Biomechanics & Biomaterials, and Biomedical Informatics.

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2.      The University of Alberta

The University of Alberta is also another top-ranking institution of higher learning in Canada, it is also ranked among the top best biomedical engineering schools in Canada. Alberta’s Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry collaborate to provide Biomedical Engineering education to aspiring students both home and abroad.

The department offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs with research opportunities to offer students real-world skills applicable to similar issues.

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3.      McGill University

The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences offers a biomedical engineering program leading to an undergraduate minor, a certificate in translational biomedical engineering, an MEng or Ph.D., a Postdoc, and other research opportunities. The program is a broad, interdisciplinary field that combines the application of engineering, the physical sciences, and computer science to medicine and life sciences.

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4.      The University of Waterloo

Looking to enroll in one of the best biomedical engineering schools in Canada? Look no further as the University of Waterloo provides top-notch biomedical engineering education at the undergraduate and graduate levels of study. Students are trained to gain real-world skills that they can apply to solve real-life problems and succeed in the industry.

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5.      Western University

Western University has a School of Biomedical Engineering that ranks among the best biomedical engineering schools in Canada and is also renowned in the world. The School is a collaboration of the Faculties of Health Sciences, Science, and Engineering; and the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry.

The School also promotes the cooperative involvement of clinical and basic researchers in disciplines including biomaterials, biomechanics, and mechatronics, and encourages multidisciplinary links between other faculties.

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These are the best biomedical engineering schools in Canada, they all accept international students into biomedical engineering but it is expensive for such students.

Best Biomedical Engineering Schools in Texas

Texas is a state in the United States and it has some of the best universities in the US and the world. Here, I have outlined and discussed the top best biomedical engineering schools in Texas to facilitate admission for those who stay in Texas or want to study there from their respective countries.

  • Rice University
  • The University of Texas at Austin
  • Texas A&M University
  • The University of Texas at Dallas
  • The University of Houston

1.      Rice University

Rice University is a top institution in the state of Texas and it houses a Department of Bioengineering that leads to undergraduate, master’s, and Ph.D. programs and other research options. The research explores biomaterials, bio-fabrication and mechanobiology, biomedical imaging and instrumentation, cellular, molecular, and genome engineering and synthetic biology, and computational and theoretical bioengineering and biophysics.

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2.      The University of Texas at Austin

The Cockrell School of Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin offers Biomedical Engineering in undergraduate and graduate degree programs to international and domestic students. The program prepares students to gain practical engineering skills in their journeys to advance health care.

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3.      Texas A&M University

Texas A&M University is one of the best biomedical engineering schools in Texas, the Department of Biomedical Engineering is dedicated to solving global health issues through the exploration of new ideas, integrated research, and innovation. The department offers BME programs that lead to a Bachelor of Science, an Undergraduate Minor, a Master of Science, a Master of Engineering, a Dual Degree (MEng/MBA), and a Doctor of Philosophy.

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4.      The University of Texas at Dallas

As it is commonly referred to, UT Dallas offers one of the best biomedical engineering education in Texas. The course is offered via the Department of Bioengineering under the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science. The department offers an undergraduate program that leads to a Bachelor of Science. You can also go for the fast-track and pre-health programs.

They also provide graduate degree programs with a strong focus on research on neural engineering, biosensors and bioelectronics, biomaterials, biomechanics, bioimaging, and systems biology.

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5.      The University of Houston

The University of Houston is another top university in Texas and its Cullen College of Engineering – which offers biomedical engineering – is one of the top biomedical engineering schools in Texas. The program curriculum is innovative, entrepreneurial, and health-care-focused to provide students with an intensive knowledge of the field and set them up for a successful career path.

Undergraduate and graduate degree programs in BME are offered here and students can apply to the program of their choice provided they meet the requirements.

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These are the top best 5 biomedical engineering universities in Texas, the USA, learn more about their program requirement and start applying.

Top Universities for Biomedical Engineering UK

Talking about top destination hubs in the world, the United Kingdom ranks on the top 5 list, so going here to study for a biomedical engineering degree will earn you a renowned degree and opportunities to excel in the field.

  • The University of Strathclyde
  • The University of Glasgow
  • The University of Bradford
  • Imperial College London
  • University College London (UCL)

1.      The University of Strathclyde

The University of Strathclyde is a public higher institution of learning in Glasgow, Scotland, UK, and offers a top-notch biomedical engineering program that leads to a BEng, MSc, MEng, and other research opportunities. The BME department has state-of-the-art facilities designed to enhance the experience of students and research.

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2.      The University of Glasgow

The James Watt School of Engineering at the University of Glasgow ranks among the best biomedical engineering schools in the UK. This School provides a wide range of academic programs in the engineering field including biomedical engineering. The BME program here leads to a BEng and MEng or MSc which takes 4 and 5 years respectively to complete.

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3.      The University of Bradford

The UK and international applicants are welcome to apply for a bachelor’s or master’s in biomedical engineering at the University of Bradford. The bachelor’s program leads to a BEng (Hons) while the master’s program leads to MSc. There is also a combined BEng/MEng program in BME you can also go for. Students are also exposed to research education and a sandwich placement year in the industry.

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4.      Imperial College London

Imperial College London is a top-ranking institution in the UK and it has a Department of Bioengineering that is renowned for its world-class education and consistently ranks with the best biomedical engineering schools in the UK. The department offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in BME leading to MEng, MSc, MRes, and Ph.D., as well as other research opportunities.

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5.      University College London (UCL)

The UCL Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering offers renowned leading research and integrated hands-on education with affiliations to many teaching hospitals. The department offers a range of accredited degree and postgraduate programs, research degrees, and doctoral training.

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These are the top 5 biomedical engineering schools in the UK renowned for their world-class education and programs in biomedical engineering.

Best Biomedical Engineering Schools in California

California is a vibrant state in the United States with a diverse population of people from various cultural backgrounds and is regarded as an excellent place to study. Some of the top colleges in the world and the US are in this state. These colleges hold global prestige in the academic programs and qualifications they offer.

Here, I have outlined and discussed the best biomedical engineering schools in California to facilitate students’ admission whether in-state or out-of-state.

  • Stanford University
  • The University of California, Berkeley
  • The University of California, San Diego
  • The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
  • California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

1.      Stanford University

Yes! Stanford University is in California and you already know how huge this university is, it is the best university in the world, and even its academic programs are top-ranking. Stanford is one of the best biomedical engineering schools in California, offering bioengineering through its Schools of Engineering Medicine.

The faculty offers undergraduate degrees that lead to a BS in Bioengineering and a BS in Biomedical Computation. Graduate degrees are also offered that lead to Ph.D., Master’s, Dual and Joint Programs, and an MD Scholarly Concentration. International and domestic aspirants can apply here but you should know that admission at Stanford is highly competitive.

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2.      The University of California, Berkeley

As it is commonly referred to, UC Berkeley is one of the top universities in the United States and the world. UC Berkeley houses the Department of Bioengineering, renowned as one of the top biomedical engineering schools in California, offering research and educational programs that drive transformational technologies, and foster a community that trains and motivates the next generation of bioengineers.

The BME program at UC Berkeley grants the BSc, MEng, Ph.D. in bioengineering, and Master of Translational Medicine degrees. students from all walks of life are welcome to apply to any bioengineering degree program of their choice as long as they meet the eligibility and other requirements which are often high to meet. Admission here is also highly competitive.

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3.      The University of California, San Diego

UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering offers bioengineering at undergraduate and graduate levels of study. The graduate program leads to an M.Eng., M.S., and Ph.D. while the undergraduate degree leads to a BS.

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4.      University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Samueli Bioengineering is the department that offers biomedical engineering at UCLA and it is recognized as one of the best biomedical engineering schools in California. The program leads to graduate and undergraduate degrees as well as research options that are focused on five core areas: molecular, cellular, and tissue engineering, biomedical devices and bioinstrumentation, biomedical imaging, and biomedical data sciences and neural engineering.

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5.      California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

The Caltech Bioengineering Department is top-ranked for biomedical and bioengineering programs. The graduate program in BE leads to a master’s and Ph.D. degree while the undergraduate program leads to a BSc. Students are also allowed to dive into research programs and gain real-life applicable skills.

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These are the top 5 biomedical engineering schools in California and the US, follow the provided links to learn about program requirements and eligibility criteria.

FAQs

Is biomedical engineering a good career?

A career in biomedical engineering is richly rewarding and graduates are constantly in high demand as it is still a growing field.

Is there a high demand for biomedical engineers?

Yes, biomedical engineers are in high demand, and employment in the field is projected to grow 5% from 2019 to 2029.

What university is best for biomedical science?

Harvard University is best for biomedical science

Does Johns Hopkins have biomedical engineering?

Yes, Johns Hopkins University offers biomedical engineering leading to graduate and undergraduate degrees.

Where do biomedical engineers make the most money?

The states where biomedical engineers make the most money are Minnesota, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and California

This brings an end to the best biomedical engineering schools and I hope they have been helpful.

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