Best colleges for Biological/Biosystems Engineering
A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and management of biological systems; and includes applications to biology, biochemistry, ecology, and microbiology.
23 U.S. institutions graduated 482 Biological/Biosystems Engineering students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 14.4501, a specialization of Biological/Biosystems Engineering (CIP 14.45), and leads most directly to the Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers occupation (BLS SOC 17-2031).
About Biological/Biosystems Engineering programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and management of biological systems; and includes applications to biology, biochemistry, ecology, and microbiology. Includes instruction in organic chemistry; microbiology; biochemistry; chemical, biological, biochemical, and process engineering; thermodynamics; process control; kinetics and reactor design; electric circuits; biosystem modeling; and bioelectronics and instrumentation.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Biological/Biosystems Engineering program prepares students to apply mathematical and scientific principles in the design, development, and management of biological systems. This interdisciplinary field combines elements of biology, biochemistry, ecology, and microbiology, making it ideal for individuals interested in the intersection of engineering and life sciences.
Students in this program gain knowledge in organic chemistry, microbiology, biochemistry, and various engineering principles. Core skills include critical thinking, mathematics, and science, alongside practical instruction in biosystem modeling and bioelectronics.
Credentials awarded
What Biological/Biosystems Engineering graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree360 graduates / yr · 17 institutions75%
- Master's degree63 graduates / yr · 12 institutions13%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship47 graduates / yr · 12 institutions9.8%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year10 graduates / yr · 2 institutions2.1%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.4%
Graduates over time
Biological/Biosystems Engineering completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 116 |
| 2013 | 209 |
| 2014 | 251 |
| 2015 | 278 |
| 2016 | 327 |
| 2017 | 417 |
| 2018 | 400 |
| 2019 | 374 |
| 2020 | 364 |
| 2021 | 410 |
| 2022 | 472 |
| 2023 | 411 |
| 2024 | 481 |
| 2025 | 482 |
Top 23 institutions for Biological/Biosystems Engineering, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field starting salary* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colorado School of Mines Golden, COPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 78 | 82% | — | — |
| 2 | Auburn University Auburn, ALPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 56 | 82% | — | $59,050 |
| 3 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 45 | 90% | — | $62,842 |
| 4 | University of California-Davis Davis, CAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 36 | 86% | — | — |
| 5 | University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, NEPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 35 | 67% | — | $61,755 |
| 6 | Cornell University Ithaca, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 34 | 95% | $17,613 | — |
| 7 | University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia, MOPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearMaster'sDoctoralBachelor's | 30 | 75% | — | $60,190 |
| 8 | Utah State University Logan, UTPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 28 | 59% | — | $52,951 |
| 9 | University of Arkansas Fayetteville, ARPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 25 | 71% | — | — |
| 10 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 18 | 68% | — | — |
| 11 | University of Florida Gainesville, FLPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 16 | 91% | — | $46,917 |
| 12 | Oakland University Rochester Hills, MIPublicBachelor's | 14 | 58% | — | $57,337 |
| 13 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CAPublicBachelor's | 12 | 86% | — | $67,016 |
| 14 | University of Idaho Moscow, IDPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 12 | 57% | — | — |
| 15 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, COPublicDoctoral | 8 | 74% | — | — |
| 16 | Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MSPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 8 | 67% | — | — |
| 17 | Wentworth Institute of Technology Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 68% | $32,713 | — |
| 18 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 7 | 94% | $23,803 | — |
| 19 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZPublicDoctoral | 3 | 61% | — | — |
| 20 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LAPublicDoctoral | 3 | 69% | — | — |
| 21 | University of California-Merced Merced, CAPublicDoctoralMaster's | 3 | 69% | — | — |
| 22 | Northwestern University Evanston, ILPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 2 | 95% | $14,799 | — |
| 23 | University of Maryland-College Park College Park, MDPublicBachelor's | 2 | 89% | — | — |
* Field starting salary (1 yr): median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Biological/Biosystems Engineering field (CIP 14.45) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 19 states
Where Biological/Biosystems Engineering graduates come from. Each state links to all Biological/Biosystems Engineering programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 2 | 86 | Colorado School of Mines78 / yr |
| Alabama | 1 | 56 | Auburn University56 / yr |
| California | 3 | 51 | University of California-Davis36 / yr |
| Georgia | 1 | 45 | University of Georgia45 / yr |
| Nebraska | 1 | 35 | University of Nebraska-Lincoln35 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 34 | Cornell University34 / yr |
| Missouri | 1 | 30 | University of Missouri-Columbia30 / yr |
| Utah | 1 | 28 | Utah State University28 / yr |
| Arkansas | 1 | 25 | University of Arkansas25 / yr |
| Arizona | 2 | 21 | University of Arizona18 / yr |
| Florida | 1 | 16 | University of Florida16 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 14 | Oakland University14 / yr |
| Idaho | 1 | 12 | University of Idaho12 / yr |
| Mississippi | 1 | 8 | Mississippi State University8 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 7 | Wentworth Institute of Technology7 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 7 | Carnegie Mellon University7 / yr |
| Louisiana | 1 | 3 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College3 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 2 | Northwestern University2 / yr |
| Maryland | 1 | 2 | University of Maryland-College Park2 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-2031, Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of Biological/Biosystems Engineering can pursue careers as bioengineers and biomedical engineers, with a job outlook that is faster than average, projecting 1,300 annual openings. The median wage for these professionals is approximately $106,950, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree for entry-level positions.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 14.4501
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineersprimary SOC 17-2031 | $109,370 | +5.2% Faster than average | ~1,300 | Bachelor's degree |
Architectural and Engineering Managers SOC 11-9041 | $171,270 | +3.8% About as fast as average | ~14,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Engineers, All Other SOC 17-2199 | $122,930 | +2.1% About as fast as average | ~9,300 | Bachelor's degree |
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1032 | $109,270 | +8.1% Much faster than average | ~4,100 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Biological/Biosystems Engineering programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Evaluate the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of biomedical equipment.
- Prepare technical reports, data summary documents, or research articles for scientific publication, regulatory submissions, or patent applications.
- Design or develop medical diagnostic or clinical instrumentation, equipment, or procedures, using the principles of engineering and biobehavioral sciences.
- Conduct research, along with life scientists, chemists, and medical scientists, on the engineering aspects of the biological systems of humans and animals.
- Adapt or design computer hardware or software for medical science uses.
- Maintain databases of experiment characteristics or results.
Tools and technology used
Common questions
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
You can work as a bioengineer, biomedical engineer, or in various engineering roles related to biological systems.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, mathematics, science, and engineering design.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is faster than average, with about 1,300 annual job openings.
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctor's degree, with the majority of graduates receiving a Bachelor's degree.
What is the CIP code for Biological/Biosystems Engineering?+
Biological/Biosystems Engineering is CIP 14.4501 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Biological/Biosystems Engineering (CIP 14.45). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and management of biological systems; and includes applications to biology, biochemistry, ecology, and microbiology. Includes instruction in organic chemistry; microbiology; biochemistry; chemical, biological, biochemical, and process engineering; thermodynamics; process control; kinetics and reactor design; electric circuits; biosystem modeling; and bioelectronics and instrumentation.
How many institutions offer Biological/Biosystems Engineering programs?+
23 U.S. institutions reported Biological/Biosystems Engineering graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 19 states, awarding 482 credentials in the year. That is 100.0% of all Biological/Biosystems Engineering graduates.
How much do Biological/Biosystems Engineering graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers occupation, which Biological/Biosystems Engineering most directly leads to, pays a median of $109,370 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Biological/Biosystems Engineering field report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $60,190, College Scorecard.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license. This specialization accounts for nearly all Biological/Biosystems Engineering graduates, so its figures match the Biological/Biosystems Engineering program page.
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