2026 Best Value Biomedical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in biomedical engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Biomedical Engineering Schools
Leading the list is Rice University, our #1 best value for biomedical engineering in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the biomedical engineering program here. Biomedical Engineering graduates of Rice University earn a median of $88,307 early in their careers. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
Arizona State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value biomedical engineering schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $21,429 to complete the biomedical engineering program here. Biomedical Engineering graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $69,176 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Houston earned it the #3 place for biomedical engineering. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Students borrow a median of $13,502 to complete the biomedical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, biomedical engineering degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $48,329. Set against $13,502 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biomedical engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Biomedical Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,900 in student loans. Early-career biomedical engineering graduates make about $58,396. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of North Texas came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value biomedical engineering schools. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $23,298 to complete the biomedical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, biomedical engineering degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $49,157. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Arizona landed the #6 spot for biomedical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the biomedical engineering program here. Biomedical Engineering graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $50,834 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Arlington landed the #7 spot for biomedical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Biomedical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,106 in student loans. Early-career biomedical engineering graduates make about $43,390. That is a strong return on a $26,106 median debt. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value biomedical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Biomedical Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,138 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biomedical engineering degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $58,084. That is a strong return on a $23,138 median debt. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Dallas placed #9 among the best values for biomedical engineering. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,644, while out-of-state students pay about $40,144. Biomedical Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biomedical engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Dallas generally make around $58,916. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus placed #10 among the best values for biomedical engineering. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,738 to complete the biomedical engineering program here. Biomedical Engineering graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $49,983 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #11 spot for biomedical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Students borrow a median of $21,071 to complete the biomedical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, biomedical engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $56,045. That is a strong return on a $21,071 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value biomedical engineering schools. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Typical student debt for biomedical engineering graduates is $19,500. Early-career biomedical engineering graduates make about $73,747. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.
Grand Canyon University landed the #13 spot for biomedical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,508. Typical student debt for biomedical engineering graduates is $30,027. Early-career biomedical engineering graduates make about $56,285. Set against $30,027 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Narrow Biomedical Engineering Schools by State
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[Biomedical Engineering](/majors/engineering/biomedical-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong biomedical engineering education at a price that pays off.
