Miami University-Oxford
Miami University-Oxford — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Miami University-Oxford 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-Oxford Worth It?
At a value score of 39/100, Miami University-Oxford is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $55,076 — 2% above average — while paying $28,384/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 2.1-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
The 81% graduation rate means roughly 19% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Miami University-Oxford has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Miami University-Oxford compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #33 of 47 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 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #2 | Modesto Junior College | 100 | $2,818 | $42,368 |
| #3 | Santa Ana College | 100 | $3,133 | $43,552 |
| #4 | Santa Monica College | 100 | $2,779 | $42,193 |
| #5 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #6 | St Petersburg College | 100 | $1,471 | $42,557 |
| #33 | Miami University-Oxford | 39 | $28,384 | $55,076 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Miami University-Oxford's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Miami University-Oxford
The highest-earning program at Miami University-Oxford is Computer Engineering at $70,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Natural Resources Conservation and Research at $20,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Engineering graduate from Miami University-Oxford earns $70,200, while a Natural Resources Conservation and Research graduate earns $20,300. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer Engineering graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $23,302 for Natural Resources Conservation and Research.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $28,384/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering | $70,200 | $70,200 | $27,000 |
| Engineering Technology, General | $64,600 | $64,600 | $20,012 |
| Chemical Engineering | $62,600 | $62,600 | $23,907 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $61,800 | $61,800 | $22,249 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $60,600 | $60,600 | $27,000 |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $59,900 | $59,900 | $26,375 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $59,500 | $59,500 | $25,000 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $57,300 | $57,300 | $24,386 |
| 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 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $54,400 | $54,400 | $21,000 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $52,800 | $52,800 | $21,500 |
| Marketing | $52,800 | $52,800 | $24,601 |
| Economics | $50,900 | $50,900 | $24,000 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $44,300 | $44,300 | $23,682 |
| Architecture | $42,800 | $42,800 | $26,000 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $42,100 | $42,100 | $22,750 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $35,900 | $35,900 | $23,000 |
| Journalism | $34,400 | $34,400 | $25,300 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $34,300 | $34,300 | $26,862 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $34,000 | $34,000 | $24,297 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $33,900 | $33,900 | $26,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $33,900 | $33,900 | $29,499 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $33,900 | $33,900 | $22,925 |
| Political Science and Government | $33,600 | $33,600 | $23,777 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $33,000 | $33,000 | $25,560 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $32,600 | $32,600 | $21,482 |
| Social Work | $32,400 | $32,400 | $28,469 |
| Sociology | $32,000 | $32,000 | $23,332 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $30,700 | $30,700 | $19,625 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $30,400 | $30,400 | $26,312 |
| Area Studies | $30,300 | $30,300 | $21,750 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $29,600 | $29,600 | $25,000 |
| Psychology, General | $29,300 | $29,300 | $25,000 |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | $27,000 | $27,000 | $21,500 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $26,100 | $26,100 | $25,000 |
| Biology, General | $26,100 | $26,100 | $23,250 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $26,000 | $26,000 | $23,156 |
| History | $25,800 | $25,800 | $25,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $23,700 | $23,700 | $23,702 |
| Zoology/Animal Biology | $21,200 | $21,200 | $26,000 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $20,300 | $20,300 | $23,302 |
Similar Colleges in OH
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Oxford, OH
- Student Body
- 16,656 students
- Admission Rate
- 75%
- Graduation Rate
- 81%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $28,384
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $55,076
- Median Student Debt
- $23,000