Miami University-Hamilton
Miami University-Hamilton — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Miami University-Hamilton at a Glance
Miami University is a public research university in Oxford, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1809, it is the second-oldest university in Ohio and the tenth-oldest public university in the United States. It is named for its location in the Miami Valley, in turn named after the Myaamia people. The university operates regional campuses in nearby Hamilton, Middletown, and West Chester, as well as the international Dolibois European Center in Differdange, Luxembourg.
1809
217 years old
$1.1B
$1.09 billion ( FY 2025)
18,618
16,478 undergrad · 2,140 grad
1,106
2,138 acres
Identity
Is Miami University-Hamilton Worth It?
At a value score of 28/100, Miami University-Hamilton is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $55,076 — 2% above average — while paying $11,286/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 23% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 2 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Miami University-Hamilton has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Miami University-Hamilton compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in OH
Ranked #127 of 150 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #2 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #3 | New College of Florida | 100 | $7,195 | $48,082 |
| #4 | Bellingham Technical College | 92 | $5,997 | $49,748 |
| #5 | University of Minnesota-Morris | 90 | $8,837 | $50,919 |
| #6 | Bates Technical College | 86 | $6,292 | $50,051 |
| #127 | Miami University-Hamilton | 28 | $11,286 | $55,076 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Miami University-Hamilton's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 15 in OH.
Best Programs at Miami University-Hamilton
The highest-earning program at Miami University-Hamilton is Engineering Technology, General at $64,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Criminal Justice and Corrections at $33,900/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Engineering Technology, General graduate from Miami University-Hamilton earns $64,600, while a Criminal Justice and Corrections graduate earns $33,900. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Engineering Technology, General graduates carry $20,012 in median debt vs. $22,925 for Criminal Justice and Corrections.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $11,286/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Technology, General | $64,600 | $64,600 | $20,012 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $55,500 | $55,500 | $27,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $55,100 | $55,100 | $27,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $33,900 | $33,900 | $29,499 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $33,900 | $33,900 | $22,925 |
Similar Colleges in OH
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Hamilton, OH
- Student Body
- 2,043 students
- Graduation Rate
- 23%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $11,286
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $55,076
- Median Student Debt
- $23,000