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Bioengineering Schools and Programs in The United States

19 schools in The United States teach Bioengineering.

Bioengineering Studies in The United States

Bioengineering applies engineering methods to biology and medicine. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) describes bioengineers and biomedical engineers as people who combine engineering principles with sciences to design and create equipment, devices, computer systems and software. In the United States the subject is taught under two main names, bioengineering and biomedical engineering, usually by a department within a university's school of engineering.

How the degree is organised

Undergraduate study leads to a bachelor's degree, which according to EducationUSA is usually completed in four years of full-time study and is awarded after a specified number of credits in a major field of study. Degree titles differ from one university to another. The University of Washington awards a Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering. The University of Pennsylvania offers a Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) in Bioengineering and a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Biomedical Science. The University of California San Diego has four majors: Bioengineering, Bioengineering: Biotechnology, Bioengineering: BioSystems and Bioengineering: Bioinformatics. Stanford University lists a BS in Bioengineering and a BS in Biomedical Computation.

Programmes combine mathematics, natural sciences and engineering courses with laboratory work, and usually end with a design or research project. At the University of Washington, for example, students complete a senior capstone project, and each undergraduate cohort has about 90 students.

At large public universities, admission to the university does not always mean admission to the major. UC San Diego, for example, states that all four of its bioengineering majors are "selective", with limited enrolment and a set of screening courses to complete before applying.

At graduate level, EducationUSA describes the master's as a two-year degree providing additional specialisation and the doctorate as a five- to eight-year programme. The University of Washington, Stanford and the University of Pittsburgh all offer master's and PhD programmes in the field. The BLS notes that some positions require a graduate degree, and that leading a research team typically requires one.

Accreditation and licensing

Engineering programmes in the United States can be accredited by ABET. ABET states that its accreditation is not a ranking system and that it accredits programmes only, not degrees, departments or institutions. The Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering at the University of Washington is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. At UC San Diego, three of the four bioengineering majors are ABET-accredited and the Bioinformatics major is not.

This matters for graduates who later want a Professional Engineer (P.E.) licence. According to the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES), licensing boards generally require a bachelor's degree from an EAC/ABET-accredited programme, most states require four years of work experience, and candidates typically must pass the FE exam and the PE exam. Requirements vary by state.

Admission and language

EducationUSA states that undergraduate applicants generally must have completed high school and be at least 17 years old, and that US universities require an English language proficiency test before admission. Applications for a September start are typically due between November and January, so the search should begin 12 to 18 months before the academic year.

To study on an F student visa, students must first be accepted by an institution certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).

Where to study bioengineering in the United States

The schools listed on this page are mostly research universities, with groups in California, Pennsylvania and Colorado. In California they include The University of California at Berkeley, Stanford University, the University of California San Diego in La Jolla, The University of California Los Angeles and San Diego State University. In Pennsylvania, the University of Pennsylvania and Temple University are in Philadelphia, and The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) has a Department of Biomedical Engineering at University Park. The University of Pittsburgh's Department of Bioengineering works in partnership with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) and neighbouring Carnegie Mellon University. Other options include the University of Washington in Seattle and the Colorado School of Mines in Golden. Teaching is in English.

Recognition of the qualification

US higher education is not centrally organised: institutions are accredited at national or regional level by independent accrediting bodies. Students who plan to work as engineers outside the United States should check with the authorities of that country how a US bachelor's or master's degree is recognised before enrolling.

Careers

According to the BLS, bioengineers and biomedical engineers typically need a bachelor's degree in bioengineering, biomedical engineering or a related engineering field, and frequently work in research and development or in quality assurance. The occupation had 23,800 jobs in 2025. The BLS projects employment to grow 8 percent from 2025 to 2035, with about 1,200 openings each year on average. It also notes that some bioengineers go on to medical or dental school, law or an MBA.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a bioengineering degree take in the United States?

A bachelor's degree usually takes four years of full-time study. A master's adds about two years, and a doctorate takes five to eight years according to EducationUSA.

What is the difference between bioengineering and biomedical engineering?

US universities use both names for closely related programmes, and the BLS treats bioengineers and biomedical engineers as one occupation. The content of each programme is best checked in its own curriculum.

Does the programme need to be ABET-accredited?

It is not compulsory, but NCEES states that licensing boards generally require a bachelor's degree from an EAC/ABET-accredited programme for the Professional Engineer licence. ABET accredits individual programmes, so each one has to be checked.