University of Miami
University of Miami — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Miami at a Glance
The University of Miami is a private research university in Coral Gables, Florida, United States. As of 2025, the university enrolled 20,104 students in two colleges and eight schools across over 350 academic majors and programs, including the Miller School of Medicine in Miami's Health District, the law school on the main campus, the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science on Virginia Key, and additional research facilities in southern Miami-Dade County.
1925
101 years old
$1.7B
$1.71 billion (2025)
20,104
13,241 undergrad · 6,863 grad
3,695
453 acres
Identity
Is University of Miami Worth It?
University of Miami offers moderate value at $37,244/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $75,328, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 84% graduation rate means roughly 16% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Admission is competitive with a 19% acceptance rate, so applicants should have strong academic credentials.
How University of Miami compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #4 of 8 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 | Boston University | 76 | $24,402 | $83,238 |
| #2 | University of Southern California | 65 | $32,740 | $92,498 |
| #3 | Wake Forest University | 61 | $28,719 | $78,158 |
| #4 | University of Miami | 42 | $37,244 | $75,328 |
| #5 | Tulane University of Louisiana | 35 | $39,949 | $63,268 |
| #6 | Bellevue University | 34 | $17,550 | $61,289 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of University of Miami's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at University of Miami
The highest-earning program at University of Miami is Mechanical Engineering at $66,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Biology, General at $13,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Mechanical Engineering graduate from University of Miami earns $66,400, while a Biology, General graduate earns $13,700. 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: Mechanical Engineering graduates carry $20,500 in median debt vs. $21,125 for Biology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $37,244/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | $66,400 | $66,400 | $20,500 |
| Industrial Engineering | $65,000 | $65,000 | $24,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $63,700 | $63,700 | $16,811 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $58,500 | $58,500 | $17,500 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $57,000 | $57,000 | $20,067 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $56,100 | $56,100 | $15,000 |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $49,900 | $49,900 | $19,000 |
| Marketing | $48,400 | $48,400 | $19,348 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $46,800 | $46,800 | $17,134 |
| Architecture | $46,700 | $46,700 | $28,125 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $38,700 | $38,700 | $16,250 |
| Political Science and Government | $37,500 | $37,500 | $18,269 |
| Economics | $36,500 | $36,500 | $15,750 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $36,300 | $36,300 | $18,500 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $27,200 | $27,200 | $21,875 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $26,300 | $26,300 | $17,500 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $25,900 | $25,900 | $16,750 |
| Journalism | $25,400 | $25,400 | $19,500 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $25,200 | $25,200 | $18,809 |
| Psychology, General | $21,900 | $21,900 | $18,240 |
| Music | $20,900 | $20,900 | $16,885 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $18,700 | $18,700 | $18,500 |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | $17,300 | $17,300 | $23,501 |
| Biology, General | $13,700 | $13,700 | $21,125 |
Similar Colleges in FL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Coral Gables, FL
- Student Body
- 12,913 students
- Admission Rate
- 19%
- Graduation Rate
- 84%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $37,244
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $75,328
- Median Student Debt
- $17,500