Old Dominion University Master of Engineering Biomedical Engineering: Fees, Living Costs, Test Scores, Visa Process, Work during Study, Entry Requirements.

Master of Engineering [M.Eng] [Biomedical Engineering] From Old Dominion University

Norfolk, VirginiaLocation
UniversitySchool type
24375enrollment
Public
7.8/10

Master of Engineering [M.Eng] (Biomedical Engineering)

2 years
Full Time
On Campus

$25,900 /Yr

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Study Abroad Team

Updated on - Aug 14, 2026

Old Dominion University (ODU) Master of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering is a 30-credit, full-time, on-campus degree in Norfolk, Virginia, with no fixed duration stated by ODU. Applicants need a relevant bachelor’s degree and 3.00 on 4.0, approximately 70% to 75% or CGPA 7.0 to 7.5 on 10 for Indian applicants. Spring 2027 uses US$1,523 per credit (INR 1.45 Lakhs), or a calculated 30-credit tuition and auxiliary charge of US$45,690 (INR 43.60 Lakhs).

The course-based degree uses a core project, comprehensive examination and technical electives instead of a thesis, preparing students for biomedical technology roles. It suits Indian applicants with engineering, science or mathematics preparation who want applied biomedical systems work. Applicants seeking original research or doctoral preparation should evaluate ODU’s thesis-based M.S. instead because the two awards signal different final projects.

  • The curriculum can draw approved technical electives from engineering, biology, chemistry, psychology, computer science, modelling and simulation, mathematics or statistics.
  • Graduate Record Examination scores are currently not required for this application.
  • ODU lists biomedical focus areas including bioelectrics, cardiovascular engineering, neural engineering, surgical robotics and computational bioengineering.

Current Admission Status

Applications for the Spring 2027 intake are Open. International student deadline: 01 October 2026.

ODU’s programme catalog describes rolling admission, but International Admissions sets this complete-file date for international graduate applicants. Indian applicants should upload all credentials by this date because incomplete files move to the next available semester.

Also Check: Old Dominion University admission requirements

ODU M.Eng Biomedical Engineering Fees and Living Costs 2027

For Spring 2027, ODU’s Fall 2026 rate page lists graduate out-of-state tuition at US$1,361 per credit (INR 1.30 Lakhs). Mandatory auxiliary tuition is US$162 per credit (INR 15,460), making a combined charge of US$1,523 per credit (INR 1.45 Lakhs). The degree requires 30 credits.

The table separates charges that scale with credits from semester and international-student costs. The 30-credit figures are calculated from ODU’s published unit rates, while health insurance is the university’s annual estimate.

Spring 2027 fee context: ODU’s current rates are effective from Fall 2026, and the programme page says tuition figures exclude mandatory fees, course fees and living costs.

ChargeAmountINR equivalentBasis
Standard graduate tuitionUS$1,361 per creditINR 1.30 Lakhs per creditPublished rate
Mandatory auxiliary tuitionUS$162 per creditINR 15,460 per creditPublished rate
Combined tuition and auxiliary chargeUS$1,523 per creditINR 1.45 Lakhs per creditUS$1,361 + US$162
30-credit tuition and auxiliary chargeUS$45,690INR 43.60 LakhsCalculated at US$1,523 × 30
Innovation fee on 30 creditsUS$240INR 22,903Calculated at US$8 × 30
Commonwealth Capital fee on 30 creditsUS$600INR 57,259Calculated at US$20 × 30
Graduate application feeUS$50INR 4,772Non-refundable fee
General Services FeeUS$18 per semesterINR 1,718 per semesterPublished mandatory fee
Student Health FeeUS$170 per semesterINR 16,223 per semesterApplies at 6 or more credits
Transportation FeeUS$63 per semesterINR 6,012 per semesterNorfolk Campus course condition
International Student FeeUS$35 per semesterINR 3,340 per semesterStudent-visa requirement
International health insuranceUS$3,400 per yearINR 3.24 Lakhs per year2026/2027 estimate

All INR conversions in the article use a conversion rate of US$ 1 = INR 95.4309 as of 14 August 2026. Rates fluctuate daily, verify before applying.

On the 30-credit requirement, combined tuition plus auxiliary tuition calculates to US$45,690 (INR 43.60 Lakhs). Adding the listed per-credit Innovation and Commonwealth Capital fees produces a calculated core charge of US$46,530 (INR 44.40 Lakhs) before semester fees, course costs, insurance and living.

ODU’s current tuition rates page says course-related fees vary. Indian applicants should request the course schedule and billing estimate before accepting an offer.

Cost of Living in Norfolk for M.Eng Biomedical Engineering Students

ODU’s 2026/2027 estimate sets Housing, Personal and Books at US$13,500 (INR 12.88 Lakhs) for a nine-month academic year. The estimate applies to F-1 student visas and J-1 exchange visitor visas. The combined line does not publish separate rent, food or transport amounts, and summer costs are excluded.

Use the university’s combined estimate as a funding baseline rather than a rent forecast. ODU lists health insurance separately from housing, personal expenses and books.

ExpenseMonthly (US$)Monthly (INR amount)Annual / 9 months (US$)Annual / 9 months (INR amount)
Housing, personal expenses and books, combined official estimateUS$1,500INR 1.43 LakhsUS$13,500INR 12.88 Lakhs

A calculated planning illustration adds the 30-credit core charge of US$46,530 (INR 44.40 Lakhs). It also adds nine-month living of US$13,500 (INR 12.88 Lakhs) and annual insurance of US$3,400 (INR 3.24 Lakhs). The illustration totals US$63,430 (INR 60.53 Lakhs) before semester charges. It is not a university-published programme total.

Because ODU does not state a fixed degree duration, add US$13,500 (INR 12.88 Lakhs) plus US$3,400 (INR 3.24 Lakhs) for each additional academic year. Confirm the course load, insurance period and laboratory charges with ODU before finalising an education loan.

Read More: Study in USA costs and planning

Key insight: The 30-credit charge is calculable, but semester fees, course fees and duration remain variable. Build funding around the US$63,430 (INR 60.53 Lakhs) planning illustration, then replace it with ODU’s term-by-term bill.

ODU M.Eng Biomedical Engineering Admission 2027

Spring 2027 is the target intake for this applicant-facing page, and the programme uses rolling admission. ODU’s catalog also permits part-time enrollment, but this article evaluates the full-time route used by international students seeking the F-1 Student visa.

Intakes for ODU M.Eng Biomedical Engineering 2027

ODU’s international schedule lists Spring in January, Summer in May and Fall in August. For Spring 2027, the complete-file deadline is 01 October 2026, while the later-term dates remain useful if the department moves an incomplete file forward.

Admission requires a bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, mathematics or a related field. ODU also requires a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 on 4.0. This GPA is approximately 70% to 75%, or CGPA 7.0 to 7.5 on 10 for Indian applicants. Official transcripts, two references, a resume and a statement of purpose are also required.

ODU may consider applicants from other backgrounds through prerequisite or leveling coursework. The current degree requirements do not list work experience or GMAT scores, and they state that Graduate Record Examination scores are not required.

Academic eligibility context: ODU’s programme page and graduate catalog provide the degree-specific requirements below. The university makes the final equivalency decision for Indian credentials.

RequirementODU standardIndian applicant action
Prior degreeBachelor’s in engineering, science or mathematics is preferred; related backgrounds may be considered.Map subjects in your transcript to engineering, physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics foundations.
Undergraduate GPAMinimum GPA 3.00 on a 4.0 scale.Approximately 70% to 75%, or CGPA 7.0 to 7.5 on 10, as a general estimate.
Foundation knowledgePhysics, basic chemistry, computer programming and mathematics are expected.Highlight relevant courses, projects and laboratory work in the statement.
TranscriptsOfficial transcripts from all post-secondary institutions are required.Arrange sealed or institution-sent records with certified English translations when needed.
RecommendationsTwo letters of recommendation are required.Use academic referees who can assess technical preparation and project work.
Written materialsResume and statement of purpose and goals are required.Connect your target biomedical area to the non-thesis degree structure.
Graduate Record ExaminationScores are currently not required for the degree application.Do not treat test preparation as a requirement unless ODU gives written instructions.
Provisional admissionPossible at departmental discretion with leveling or other conditions.Ask whether missing prerequisite subjects can be completed after admission.

The GPA threshold is a screening floor, not a published competitive average. A transcript with the required average but no programming, physics or mathematics evidence may still need clarification or leveling.

English Language Proficiency for ODU M.Eng 2027

ODU requires English proficiency from applicants whose native language is not English, unless an approved waiver route applies. The current policy lists both the older and revised TOEFL scales, so applicants must report the scale attached to their test date.

TOEFL scale note: ODU publishes scores by test date, and the figures below are not conversions between versions.

Accepted routeODU score or conditionIndian applicant action
TOEFL iBT before 21 January 202679Submit the score with its test date and scale.
TOEFL iBT on or after 21 January 20264.5Use the published 1.0 to 6.0 scale without self-conversion.
TOEFL paper-based550Confirm that the score report remains valid for your intake.
IELTS6.5 overallCheck whether your test report meets any component conditions in the portal.
PTE Academic53Use this route if the test date and score-report delivery fit the deadline.
Duolingo English Test120Send the official result through the testing platform.
Approved waiver routeDegree from an accredited institution in a country where English is the official language, or other ODU-listed options.Ask International Admissions to confirm eligibility before omitting a test.
  • Indian applicants should choose IELTS, PTE or Duolingo when the published scale and test availability make document delivery easier before 01 October 2026.
  • An English-medium Indian degree should not be assumed to satisfy the waiver because ODU applies a country and institution condition.
  • A TOEFL result taken on or after 21 January 2026 must be submitted as 4.5 on the new scale, not as an improvised 79-equivalent.

Check Out: Old Dominion University graduate programmes

Tip for Indian students: The degree accepts broad preparation, but its foundation list is specific. Use your transcript and statement to prove physics, chemistry, programming and mathematics readiness before relying on the GPA floor.

ODU M.Eng Biomedical Engineering Application 2027

Spring 2027 is the earliest future intake for Indian applicants, with an international complete-file deadline of 01 October 2026. The programme catalog describes rolling admission, but the International Admissions schedule controls whether an international student can be considered for that term.

ODU does not publish a fixed decision date for this degree. A complete application is reviewed and forwarded to the biomedical engineering graduate program director, so file completeness matters more than a separate interview round.

Current recurring deadline context: ODU publishes term deadlines without year labels, so the table maps each term to its next future start.

IntakeInternational deadlineApplication meaning
Spring, January 202701 October 2026Submit the complete file for the target intake.
Summer, May 202701 February 2027Use this route only if the department confirms the degree start.
Fall, August 202715 April 2027Apply by the international schedule date for the next academic year.

ODU’s published dates give Spring applicants a clear document cutoff, while the department’s rolling wording leaves programme review timing open. Submit before the international date and ask the department when a complete file will be considered.

Application File and Sequence

The application begins in the ODU graduate portal and then moves through transcript verification, programme review and international document processing. Upload all required items together because ODU says additional credentials cannot be added through the online application after submission.

StageRequired material or actionApplicant decision
University applicationOnline graduate application and non-refundable application fee.Choose the Biomedical Engineering degree and Spring 2027 start.
Academic recordOfficial transcripts and degree evidence from all post-secondary institutions.Start institutional dispatch early because sealed records can delay completeness.
Programme fileResume, statement of purpose and goals, and two recommendations.Show technical preparation and a project or industry direction.
English evidenceAccepted test result or an ODU-approved waiver route.Report the test scale and date exactly as issued.
After admissionFinancial documents and passport material for Form I-20, the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status.Keep liquid-funds evidence ready before requesting the visa document.
  • Use the statement to explain why a non-thesis core project and technical electives fit your biomedical technology goal.
  • Applicants needing leveling should identify the missing physics, chemistry, programming or mathematics course before the department reviews the file.
  • Contact Michel Audette, the listed graduate program director, when your proposed electives or project direction needs a faculty fit check.

ODU’s international graduate admissions guidance says late consideration can move to a later term. Indian applicants should not build a visa plan around that discretion.

Read More: USA application process for international students

Application tip: The department may review on a rolling basis, but the international cutoff is still the practical gate for Spring 2027. Submit a complete technical file by 01 October 2026 and confirm the next-term start with the programme director.

ODU M.Eng Biomedical Engineering Scholarships 2027

ODU does not publish a target-cycle scholarship amount for Spring 2027 degree applicants. The available funding routes are full-time graduate assistantships, but stipends vary by programme and college and no tuition remission is guaranteed on the current pages.

Funding decision: Treat assistantships as competitive funding to pursue after applying, not as a deduction from the US$63,430 (INR 60.53 Lakhs) planning illustration. Keep the full cost available until a written offer states the stipend, appointment period and tuition terms.

Named ODU Funding Routes

ODU classifies graduate appointments as Graduate Research Assistantships (GRAs), Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs) and Graduate Administrative Assistantships (GAAs). Each route requires admission in regular or provisional status and good academic standing before appointment.

Funding routePublished eligibility or workApplication route
Graduate Research AssistantshipResearch support for faculty or sponsored projects.Contact the biomedical engineering graduate program director or a principal investigator.
Graduate Teaching AssistantshipLaboratory, classroom, grading or tutoring responsibilities.Submit the assistantship materials to the programme office as soon as possible.
Graduate Administrative AssistantshipAdministrative support for a university unit.Check ODU postings and ask the programme office about eligible campus roles.
Graduate Summer Research Awards ProgramFaculty-mentored graduate research proposals supporting progress toward a terminal degree.The 2027 cycle is expected to open in January or February 2027, with proposals due approximately mid-to-late March.

ODU’s Graduate School scholarships and awards page says the summer research award cycle is competitive and requires a faculty nomination packet. An applicant should confirm that the proposed core project qualifies before relying on this route.

  • Ask Michel Audette or the department about GRA and GTA availability before submitting the Spring 2027 application.
  • Request the written funding terms because ODU publishes no universal graduate assistantship stipend or tuition-waiver amount.
  • Keep loan evidence based on gross tuition and living costs because assistantship selection and appointment length are not assured.

For prior-cycle context only, ODU listed a 2026-27 Meredith Construction Company Scholarship of US$9,295 (INR 8.87 Lakhs). It listed Alumni Association fellowships of US$1,500 each (INR 1.43 Lakhs) and a Graduate School General Scholarship of US$950 (INR 90,659).

The nomination deadline for those prior-cycle awards was 27 February 2026. They are not Spring 2027 awards, so verify the 2027-28 call after enrolment before treating any amount as usable funding.

Read More: USA scholarships for international students

Scholarship reality: ODU confirms assistantship categories but not a Spring 2027 award package for this degree. Apply for GRA or GTA funding early, while keeping the full fee and living budget until written terms arrive.

ODU M.Eng Biomedical Engineering Salary 2027

No course-cohort salary, offer rate, placement rate or employer list is published for the Biomedical Engineering degree. The closest official evidence is a Batten College school-level outcome, while ODU’s programme page provides occupation benchmarks rather than graduate salaries.

ODU reports that 94% of Batten College graduates secure jobs or enter graduate school within six months. The page does not name a cohort or isolate this degree, so this is a school-level outcome and not a course placement guarantee.

Salary scope: The figures below are ODU-cited market benchmarks from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). O*NET is a U.S. occupational database, so these amounts describe linked roles rather than typical ODU graduate pay.

ODU-Cited Biomedical Engineering Career Benchmarks

ODU lists occupations that connect with biomedical instrumentation, laboratory systems and biological research. A median salary is the midpoint of the reported occupation distribution, not a minimum offer or a promise for a graduate.

Evidence scopeOccupation listed by ODUMedian salaryINR equivalent
External market benchmark cited on ODU programme pageElectrical Engineering TechniciansUS$64,290INR 61.35 Lakhs
External market benchmark cited on ODU programme pageEnvironmental Engineering TechniciansUS$53,610INR 51.16 Lakhs
External market benchmark cited on ODU programme pageMolecular and Cellular BiologistsUS$80,200INR 76.54 Lakhs
External market benchmark cited on ODU programme pageElectronics Engineering TechniciansUS$64,290INR 61.35 Lakhs

Source: ODU Biomedical Engineering programme career cards and Batten College graduate outcome information.

For return on investment (ROI), begin with the verified cost rather than a market salary headline. The degree can make financial sense for an applicant who values the core project and U.S. work option, but missing course-level outcomes keep repayment risk material.

  • The calculated 30-credit core charge is US$46,530 (INR 44.40 Lakhs) before living costs, so request a term bill before approving an education loan.
  • ODU’s official nine-month living estimate is US$13,500 (INR 12.88 Lakhs) and annual insurance is US$3,400 (INR 3.24 Lakhs), so fund living separately from tuition.
  • Because no course salary or offer rate is published, treat the four occupation medians as role benchmarks and ask ODU for recent biomedical engineering destinations.
  • If returning to India, use the curriculum and project portfolio as the value test because American market benchmarks do not price Indian employment.

Take-home pay varies with state, filing status, benefits and deductions, so gross medians are not disposable income. After receiving a U.S. offer, use the Internal Revenue Service Tax Withholding Estimator for a personal calculation.

ROI reality: ODU provides a 94% school-level jobs-or-graduate-school figure, but not a degree-specific salary or offer rate. Treat the course as a project-and-skills investment and secure outcome evidence before borrowing against U.S. salary benchmarks.

USA Visa for ODU M.Eng Biomedical Engineering Students 2027

The F-1 Student visa is the standard route for this full-time, on-campus degree. ODU’s 2026/2027 graduate funding estimate is US$45,400 (INR 43.33 Lakhs) for tuition and fees, housing, personal expenses, books and health insurance.

The F-1 application fee is US$185 (INR 17,655), and the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee is US$350 (INR 33,401). SEVIS is the federal record system used before the visa interview, while ODU’s US$45,400 estimate is the university funding figure for the I-20.

ODU lists the degree under the Engineering, M.E. and M.S. Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code 14.0101. ODU says eligible Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) majors may seek a 24-month extension after standard post-study work authorization.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment authorization for F-1 students. It permits work directly related to the degree, subject to federal and university approval.

The H-1B specialty-occupation visa has no single course-specific salary threshold. The employer must meet the applicable actual or prevailing wage, and selection or sponsorship is not assured.

  • Standard post-completion OPT provides up to 12 months of work authorization when the job relates directly to biomedical engineering.
  • The STEM OPT extension can add 24 months for a possible 36-month total when the CIP, employer, training plan and immigration conditions qualify.
  • F-2 status may cover a spouse and unmarried minor children, but F-2 dependants are not employment-authorized.
  • Permanent residence has no fixed course-linked timeline because employment category, sponsorship and visa availability control the route.

Verify the code on your Form I-20 and review ODU’s STEM OPT guidance before treating a 36-month work window as part of your financial plan.

Read More: USA post-study work options

Visa reality: ODU’s funding estimate and the F-1 and SEVIS fees are separate obligations. Confirm the CIP code and written work authorization conditions before counting OPT income toward repayment.

ODU’s Biomedical Engineering degree fits Indian applicants with engineering, science or mathematics preparation who want a coursework-led biomedical technology qualification. Its 30-credit core project and elective structure support applied portfolio building, while the absence of a thesis makes the M.S. a clearer research route. The material tradeoff is financial uncertainty because course-level salary outcomes, target-cycle scholarships and fixed duration are not published. Submit a complete Spring 2027 file by 01 October 2026, then secure written fee, funding and project guidance before accepting the offer.

ODU M.Eng Biomedical Engineering FAQs

Ques. Is ODU’s Biomedical Engineering M.E. suitable for an Indian biology graduate?

Ans. It can fit a biology graduate who can prove physics, chemistry, mathematics and programming preparation. Ask about leveling if the transcript lacks those foundations, and choose this non-thesis route only if the core project fits your career plan.

Ques. What GPA and English score should I prepare for this ODU M.E.?

Ans. ODU requires a minimum GPA of 3.00 on 4.0, approximately 70% to 75% or CGPA 7.0 to 7.5 on 10. Current options include IELTS 6.5, PTE 53, Duolingo 120 and TOEFL iBT 4.5 for tests taken on or after 21 January 2026.

Ques. What should I budget for the ODU M.E. before applying?

Ans. The calculated 30-credit core charge is US$46,530 (INR 44.40 Lakhs). With nine-month living and annual insurance, the planning illustration is US$63,430 (INR 60.53 Lakhs). Add semester and course-specific charges after ODU confirms your study plan.

Ques. What is the Spring 2027 application deadline for Indian students?

Ans. ODU’s international schedule gives Spring 2027 a complete-file deadline of 01 October 2026. The programme uses rolling review, but an incomplete file may move to the next available term, so submit transcripts and test evidence together.

Ques. Can assistantships or STEM OPT make this M.E. financially safer?

Ans. Graduate research, teaching and administrative assistantships are available routes, but ODU publishes no guaranteed Spring 2027 package or universal stipend. The potential 36-month STEM OPT window is conditional, and no course-specific salary or offer rate is published.


Tuition Fees

Year1st Year Fees
Tuition Fees$25900

Other Expenses

HeadAvg Cost Per Year
Health Insurance$3000
Books and supply$13500

Previous Year Tuition Fees

Year1st Year Fees
2023$25600

Scores Required

79 / 120

Avg. Score in

TOEFL

6.5 / 9

Avg. Score in

IELTS

53 / 90

Avg. Score in

PTE

120 / 160

Avg. Score in

Duolingo


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