Introduction
Biomedical engineers work on a wide range of technologies such as medical imaging devices, prosthetic limbs, artificial organs, and biocompatible implants. They are also involved in developing software for medical diagnostics, designing rehabilitation equipment, and conducting research to solve clinical problems.
Students pursuing a biomedical engineering degree typically study subjects like human anatomy, physiology, materials science, biomechanics, signal processing, and medical device design. The field is rapidly growing, driven by technological advancements and the increasing demand for innovative healthcare solutions, making it an appealing career path for those interested in both engineering and medicine.
Texas is home to several top-notch biomedical engineering programs, with schools offering strong academic curricula and access to extensive research facilities. The University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University, and Rice University all offer competitive biomedical engineering programs. These institutions are known for their rigorous coursework, state-of-the-art research labs, and partnerships with the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical complex in the world, giving students unparalleled opportunities for hands-on experience and internships.
Biomedical Engineering Degree Programs in Texas
A bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering provides students with foundational knowledge in both engineering principles and biological sciences. Students learn to apply engineering techniques to solve medical challenges, with coursework often including general engineering classes such as thermodynamics, circuit design, and mechanics.
With a master’s degree, students are better equipped for leadership roles in industry, academic positions, or careers in research and development. Additionally, those with a master’s degree have more opportunities in specialized fields like regenerative medicine, biomaterials, or nanotechnology. An overview of both degree types can be found here:
Bachelor’s Degree Programs
Texas A&M University
- College Station, TX
Credit Hours: 132
Resident Tuition: $287 (PCH)
Non-Resident Tuition: $828 (PCH)
Program Overview:
The Department of Biomedical Engineering at Texas A&M University is dedicated to addressing major health challenges through innovative research and technology, training the next generation of biomedical engineers. With strengths in imaging technologies, medical devices, regenerative medicine, and sensing systems, the department boasts internationally recognized faculty who collaborate across engineering, sciences, medicine, and veterinary fields.
University of Texas – Arlington
- Arlington, TX
Credit Hours: 128
Resident Tuition: $9,234 (PYR)
Non-Resident Tuition: $23,726 (PYR)
Program Overview:
The Department of Bioengineering offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering (BS BME) aimed at preparing students for careers in research, development, and teaching across various settings, including industry, hospitals, and government agencies. Graduates may also continue their education in medical or dental fields or pursue graduate studies in bioengineering. The BS BME program includes concentrations in Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, and Medical Imaging.
University of Texas – San Antonio
- San Antonio, TX
Credit Hours: 128
Resident Tuition: $7,529 (PYR)
Non-Resident Tuition: $26,078 (PYR)
Program Overview:
Pursuing a Bachelor’s in Biomedical Engineering at UTSA combines engineering principles with biological and physical sciences to tackle healthcare challenges. This diverse field offers career opportunities in medical equipment manufacturing, scientific research, pharmaceutical production, and physician offices. The degree equips students to use their analytical skills to enhance the lives of others through innovative solutions in healthcare.
University of Houston
- Houston, TX
Credit Hours: 128
Resident Tuition: $11,888 (PYR)
Non-Resident Tuition: $27,926 (PYR)
Program Overview:
The primary goal of the Biomedical Engineering department is to cultivate leadership in academia, government, and industry on a national and global scale, emphasizing the significance of scientific, social, and cultural interactions in the evolving global healthcare economy. Research focuses on neural, cognitive, and rehabilitation engineering, biomedical imaging, and bionanoscience. Prospective students seeking admission to the undergraduate program must apply through the Office of Admissions and meet the requirements set by the Cullen College of Engineering.
University of North Texas
- Denton, TX
Credit Hours: 120
Resident Tuition: $12,044 (PYR)
Non-Resident Tuition: $24,644 (PYR)
Program Overview:
The Biomedical Engineering program is a major offered on campus, designed to be completed in four years with a total of 120 credit hours. This program combines medicine and engineering to develop instruments that enhance patient care and quality of life. As the demand for biomedical engineers grows due to advancements in healthcare and technology, the department focuses on educating well-rounded professionals dedicated to improving lives in Texas, the United States, and globally.
University of Texas – Austin
- Austin, TX
Credit Hours: 126
Resident Tuition: $11,698 (PYR)
Non-Resident Tuition: $41,070 (PYR)
Program Overview:
The mission of the Department of Biomedical Engineering is to create clinically translatable solutions for human health by training future biomedical engineers and fostering the integration of science, engineering, and medicine in a discovery-centered environment. The curriculum provides comprehensive training in engineering science, design, and biology, covering concepts from molecular to organismal levels. Students can choose a technical area such as biomedical imaging, cellular engineering, computational biomedical engineering, or biomechanics and participate in a capstone design project.
University of Texas – Dallas
- Dallas, TX
Credit Hours: 128
Resident Tuition: $11,698 (PYR)
Non-Resident Tuition: $41,070 (PYR)
Program Overview:
The Bioengineering Department at UT Dallas provides a unique environment that fosters creativity through access to advanced technology, skilled engineers, and experienced clinicians. Faculty members, recognized as leaders in their disciplines, conduct groundbreaking research, offering students diverse opportunities. The newly opened $108 million Bioengineering and Sciences Building features state-of-the-art facilities for cutting-edge research. The department’s approach includes an undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering and graduate degrees in collaboration with The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
Rice University
- Houston, TX
Credit Hours: 127
Tuition: $57,210 (PYR)
Program Overview:
Rice University offers a highly regarded Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering program, consistently ranked among the nation’s top 10 since 2008. Located in Houston, Texas, near the largest medical center in the world, the program benefits from small class sizes, cutting-edge laboratory facilities, and a multidisciplinary approach that emphasizes experiential learning and real-world engineering design from the freshman year onward.
Master’s Degree Programs
University of Texas – Austin
- Austin, TX
- Online + Campus
Credit Hours: 30
Modality: Online/On-Campus
GRE: Not required
Resident Tuition: $16,412 (TTL)
Non-Resident Tuition: $20,845 (TTL)
Program Overview:
The Department of Biomedical Engineering in the top-ranked Cockrell School of Engineering offers one of the most robust graduate engineering educations in the nation. We offer opportunities for students to grow and build interdisciplinary knowledge in areas of regenerative medicine, cellular and biomolecular biomechanics, computational simulation, imaging technologies and more. The department has over 50 Graduate Studies Committee program faculty in addition to a talented group of primary faculty members, who specialize in eight dynamic research areas.
University of Texas – Arlington
- Arlington, TX
- Online + Campus
Credit Hours: 36
Modality: Online/On-Campus
GRE: Not required
Resident Tuition: $6,256 (PYR)
Non-Resident Tuition: $16,056 (PYR)
Program Overview:
The Biomedical Engineering Program is a collaborative effort between The University of Texas at Arlington and The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, coordinating research and teaching across various scientific disciplines. This program aims to equip students with the skills necessary for bioengineering careers in diverse settings, including industry, hospitals, research facilities, and government agencies. To enhance career readiness, the program includes internships that provide practical experience in the bioengineering field.
University of Texas – El Paso
- El Paso, TX
- Online + Campus
Credit Hours: 33
Modality: Online/On-Campus
GRE: Not required
Resident Tuition: $782 (PCH)
Non-Resident Tuition: $1,340 (PCH)
Program Overview:
The M.S. program in Biomedical Engineering comprises 19 credit hours of core courses, 3 credit hours of technical electives, and 2 credit hours of seminars, with up to four recommended BME 5001 seminar courses throughout the program. Additionally, students must complete 6 credit hours dedicated to their thesis work. Applicants from non-English speaking countries must demonstrate English proficiency according to the requirements outlined on the graduate school’s website.
Texas Tech University
- Lubbock, TX
- Online + Campus
Credit Hours: 36
Modality: Online/On-Campus
GRE: Required
Resident Tuition: $348 (PCH)
Non-Resident Tuition: $756 (PCH)
Program Overview:
The Bioengineering program aims to produce graduates equipped for research and development roles in biomedical engineering or for further academic pursuits. As defined by the National Institutes of Health, biomedical engineering integrates various scientific and engineering disciplines to explore biology, medicine, behavior, and health. It seeks to advance fundamental concepts and create knowledge ranging from molecular to organ systems levels, while developing innovative biologics, materials, processes, implants, devices, and informatics solutions for disease prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and overall health improvement.
University of North Texas
- Denton, TX
- Campus
Credit Hours: 30
Modality: On-Campus
GRE: Required
Resident Tuition: $26,134 (TTL)
Non-Resident Tuition: $33,694 (TTL)
Program Overview:
The Biomedical Engineering Master’s program, offered as a two-year on-campus major requiring 30-33 credit hours, focuses on developing innovative solutions to enhance patient care and quality of life at the intersection of medicine and technology. Graduate students receive a unique education by collaborating with faculty researchers on real-world challenges, gaining access to state-of-the-art facilities and laboratories, such as the Materials Research Facility and the Center for Agile and Adaptive Additive Manufacturing, while exploring advancements in biomedical engineering and nanoscale materials science research.
Baylor University
- Waco, TX
- Campus
Credit Hours: 30
Modality: On-Campus
GRE: Required
Resident Tuition: $509 (PCH)
Non-Resident Tuition: $775 (PCH)
Program Overview:
The Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering is an interdisciplinary program jointly managed by the Departments of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, focusing on advancing technologies in bioinstrumentation, biosignal and image processing, and high-performance computing. The program aims to develop innovations such as biosensors, wearable antennas, and artificial intelligence applications, while fostering collaboration with medical professionals in hospitals and assisted living facilities. This multidisciplinary effort leverages faculty expertise in biosensor devices, medical diagnostics, and advanced computing techniques to enhance healthcare solutions.
University of Houston
- Houston, TX
- Online + Campus
Credit Hours: 30
Modality: Online/On-Campus
GRE: Required
Tuition: $745 (PCH)
Program Overview:
The primary objective of our programs is to cultivate leadership across academia, government, and industry on both national and global scales. We emphasize the significance of global scientific, social, and cultural interactions, as well as the evolving demands of the healthcare economy in our undergraduate and graduate curricula. Graduate research is concentrated in three key areas: neural, cognitive, and rehabilitation engineering; biomedical imaging; and bionanoscience, aiming to address critical challenges in these fields.
Rice University
- Houston, TX
- Online + Campus
Credit Hours: 30
Modality: Online/On-Campus
GRE: Not required
Tuition: $1,667 (PCH)
Program Overview:
Rice’s Master of Bioengineering is a professional non-thesis degree that enhances students’ training through two concentrations: Applied Bioengineering and Global Medical Innovation. The program emphasizes practical experience, equipping students with business training and hands-on opportunities to tackle real-world problems while developing essential soft skills in management, communications, and leadership.
ABET-accredited Biomedical Engineering Programs
ABET accreditation is an important factor in evaluating biomedical engineering programs, particularly at the undergraduate level. ABET, or the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, accredits undergraduate programs in engineering, technology, and applied science. For biomedical engineering students, ABET accreditation signifies that their program graduates are well-prepared for careers in the biomedical industry.
Accelerated Biomedical Engineering Programs in Texas
Several Texas universities offer 4+1 biomedical engineering programs, allowing students to earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in just five years. The University of Texas at Dallas, for example, offers a 4+1 program where students can complete a BS in Biomedical Engineering and then transition directly into a MS in Biomedical Engineering.
Texas A&M University also offers a 4+1 program for its biomedical engineering students. In this program, students can begin taking graduate-level courses during their senior year of undergraduate studies, allowing them to complete both degrees faster.
Affordable Biomedical Engineering Programs in Texas
The University of North Texas ($12,044 per year for in-state students, $$24,644 per year for out-of-state students) provides an affordable biomedical engineering program. It offers a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering at a lower cost compared to private institutions.
For those seeking affordable graduate programs, Baylor University ($509 per credit hour for in-state students, $775 per credit hour for out-of-state students) offers a Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering at competitive tuition rates, making it an appealing option for students interested in pursuing advanced studies without a significant financial burden.
Career Paths in Biomedical Engineering
The field of biomedical engineering is evolving rapidly, driven by advancements in technology, an aging population, and an increasing emphasis on personalized medicine. The demand for innovative healthcare solutions is high, leading to robust job growth in the biomedical engineering sector.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for biomedical engineers is projected to grow by 6% from 2021 to 2031, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations. Some common career paths for biomedical engineers include:
- Biomedical Engineer: These professionals design and develop medical devices and equipment, such as prosthetics, imaging systems, and surgical instruments. They collaborate with healthcare professionals to identify needs and ensure products meet regulatory standards.
- Clinical Engineer: Clinical engineers work in hospitals and healthcare facilities to manage and maintain medical equipment. They ensure that devices are safe, functional, and effectively integrated into clinical workflows. This role often involves troubleshooting equipment, providing training to medical staff, and coordinating with manufacturers for repairs or updates.
- Medical Device Designer: Medical device designers focus on the aesthetic and functional aspects of medical devices. They work on product development from conception to commercialization, which includes user interface design, usability testing, and regulatory compliance.
- Research Scientist: Biomedical engineers in research positions contribute to advancing knowledge in areas like biomaterials, tissue engineering, and drug delivery systems. They often work in academic or industrial research labs, conducting experiments, analyzing data, and publishing findings.
- Regulatory Affairs Specialist: These professionals ensure that medical products comply with industry regulations and standards. They work closely with engineering teams to prepare documentation for product approvals and navigate the complex regulatory landscape.