Best 10 Online Master’s in Biomedical Engineering in 2024

Purdue University is known for having some of the best engineering programs around, so it’s no surprise that it takes the top spot on our list. Its online Master’s in Biomedical Engineering requires students to complete 30 credits of coursework in order to graduate. The curriculum covers four areas: Regulatory Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Life Sciences, and Quantitative/Analytical. Students can choose either thesis or non-thesis options. The thesis option is recommended for students who plan to pursue a doctorate.

The University of Maryland has many excellent online programs, including a top-notch online bioengineering program. The Master’s in Bioengineering is a 30-credit program that is composed of 10 classes. Students can also pursue a 12-credit online certificate in the field. Students do not have to complete a thesis or a final research project to graduate.

Colorado State University has some of the leading STEM graduate programs in the region, including its online graduate biomedical engineering program. Its Master’s in Biomedical Engineering, like many of the other programs on this list, requires 30 credits of coursework. This program is interdisciplinary, with students studying both biology and engineering. The online classes can be taken at the student’s preferred pace.

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a top public institution in the country, and its graduate biomedical engineering program is one of its leading offerings. Its 32-credit hour online Master of Engineering in Bioengineering degree is one of the most unique programs on this list. Designed for those looking for a stepping stone to technical and managerial careers in the healthcare industry, this professional master’s degree program combines the strengths of the colleges of business and engineering. Graduates are equipped with bioengineering technical skills and big-picture business perspective—trained to find creative solutions to complex, multi-level systems problems. Unlike many similar programs, students can choose between two specializations within the program: Bioinstrumentation and General Bioengineering. It offers a flexible schedule and can be completed in as little as two semesters, or up to five years. Students do not have to do a thesis.

The University of California – Riverside has the top biomedical engineering program in the state. This accelerated program can be completed in just over a year, much faster than most of the programs featured in this article. This program offers three annual start dates, so accepted students will not have to wait long to start their studies.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute is the first private institution on our list. As its name suggests, WPI is a leader in STEM programs. Its online Master’s in Biomedical Engineering offers two concentrations: Entrepreneurship & Innovation and Biomaterials & Biofabrication. This program offers students the opportunity to customize their degree paths.

Johns Hopkins University has one of the leading medical schools in the world, so it should come as little surprise that its graduate biomedical engineering program is one of the best in the country. Its program is technically called the Master’s of Applied Biomedical Engineering, This program offers three tracks: Transitional Tissue Engineering, Imaging, and Instrumentation. This degree can be completed entirely over the Internet or in a hybrid learning format. Students who want to continue their studies can pursue a post-master’s certificate in the field.

The University of Southern California may have been edged out by the University of California – Riverside, but it still has one of the top biomedical engineering programs in the state. Its Master’s in Biomedical Engineering can be completed online or through a hybrid learning format. Students must complete 28 units to receive their degrees. They can take classes on either a full-time or a part-time basis. Students who take classes on a full-time basis can complete this program in roughly 18 months.

The Stevens Institute of Technology offers a notable graduate biomedical engineering program that can be completed online. Its Master’s in Biomedical Engineering offers specializations in Bioinstrumentation, Biomechanics and Biomaterials, and Tissue Engineering. Students do not have to select a specialization. They can pursue this degree on either a full-time or part-time basis.

Columbia University is one of the most prestigious institutions on this list, but its expensive tuition hurts its ranking. Columbia’s Master’s in Biomedical Engineering requires students to complete 30 credits of coursework. Students can select several electives, so they have the opportunity to customize their curriculum to a certain extent. Unlike some of the other programs on this list, applicants to this program must submit GRE scores.