Miami University-Oxford
Oxford, Ohio · Public · 75.4% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 54/100 · Below Average Value
Miami University-Oxford earns a Below Average Value ROI score of 54 - lower than the school's reputation as a public Ivy might suggest. Tuition is $18,161 in-state (out-of-state $41,221), but net price climbs to $28,384 (higher than in-state tuition, indicating relatively limited need-based aid plus living costs). Four-year cost is $113,536. Completion rate of 79.8% is excellent, scoring 89. Median earnings six years out are $40,800, growing to $55,076 by year ten - solid but not extraordinary. Payback period of 12.6 years and debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.564 against $23,000 median debt produce reasonable economics. The overall 54 score reflects two factors: a heavily liberal arts and humanities-oriented enrollment that produces modest immediate earnings, and a price point (especially for out-of-state students) that strains the value math. Miami's strongest programs - finance, accounting, MIS, chemical engineering - all earn B or B+ grades; the dominant psychology (272 graduates), kinesiology (257), and biology (174) programs earn C grades; and music, fine arts, and history all produce F-grade D-grade outcomes. As of 2024-2025 Scorecard data, Miami offers genuine value in its business and engineering programs and weak immediate returns in its larger humanities and life-sciences enrollments.
Miami University-Oxford
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $18,161/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $41,221/yr |
| Average net price | $28,384/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $113,536 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $55,076 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $40,800 |
| Median debt at graduation | $23,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $244 |
| Estimated payback period | 12.6 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 79.8% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 16,656 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Miami University-Oxford is $18,161/year ($41,221/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $28,384/year, or roughly $113,536 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $16,015/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $31,431/year.
The median graduate leaves with $23,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $244 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $55,076 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.56 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $16,015 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $18,193 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $23,806 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $29,048 |
| $110,001+ | $31,431 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families under $30,000 pay $16,015 - meaningful aid that brings Miami close to in-state public tuition for Pell-eligible Ohio residents. Four-year cost around $64,000. For Pell-eligible students entering Miami's strong business or engineering programs, the math works. The school's low overall Pell rate (12.6%) suggests few low-income students enroll despite the aid.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income families ($48,001-$75,000) pay $23,806. Four-year cost around $95,000. Brackets are progressive (no inversions). For Ohio middle-income families, Miami's value proposition is real but tighter than the lower-cost regional publics. Out-of-state middle-income students should think carefully.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Higher-income families ($110,001+) pay $31,431 - the highest bracket. Four-year cost approaches $126,000. The Miami student body is heavily full-pay, and at this price the school competes directly with strong privates. Full-pay families targeting business or engineering get clear value; those targeting humanities pay private-college prices for state-school outcomes.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Miami University-Oxford with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management | $110,406 | B+ |
| Marketing | $86,919 | B |
| Psychology | $58,255 | C |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $70,919 | C |
| Teacher Education | $45,704 | C |
| Biology | $72,037 | C |
| International Relations | $75,374 | C+ |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $79,710 | C+ |
| Accounting | $101,808 | B+ |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $95,796 | B |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Finance and Financial Management
Finance is Miami's flagship business program: 423 graduates earning $71,203 in year one rising to $110,406 by year four. Median debt of $22,000 produces a 0.309 ratio and B+ ROI grade. Miami's Farmer School of Business places exceptionally well into Wall Street, consulting, and corporate finance. Among the strongest non-Ivy finance programs in our database.
Marketing
Marketing graduates 319 students annually with first-year earnings of $59,043 climbing to $86,919 by year four. Median debt of $21,963 produces a 0.372 ratio and B ROI grade. Solid Farmer School placement into brand management, market research, and digital marketing roles. A strong financial choice within the Miami lineup.
Psychology
Psychology is one of Miami's largest programs with 272 graduates. First-year earnings of $36,190 climb to $58,255 by year four. Median debt of $24,094 produces a 0.666 ratio and C ROI grade. Standard bachelor's-only psychology economics: meaningful career earnings typically require graduate school. The Miami premium does not produce premium psychology earnings.
Kinesiology and Exercise Science
Kinesiology graduates 257 students annually with first-year earnings of $40,486 climbing to $70,919 by year four. Median debt of $25,000 produces a 0.617 ratio and C ROI grade. Better outcomes than typical kinesiology programs, suggesting many Miami students pursue PT, OT, or other advanced credentials. Still a pre-professional pathway rather than a terminal degree.
Accounting
Accounting graduates 144 students with first-year earnings of $67,743 climbing to $101,808 by year four. Median debt of $23,000 produces a 0.34 ratio and B+ ROI grade. Excellent Big Four and corporate accounting placement supports the wages. Another standout program within the Farmer School ecosystem.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 73.4% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 77.4% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 60.0% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 69.3% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 75.4% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 610-700 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 610-690 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 25-30 |
| Enrollment | 16,656 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 12.6% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $10,834 |
Miami admits 75.4% of applicants - moderately selective for a public flagship. SAT mid-ranges (610-700 math, 610-690 reading) and ACT 25-30 indicate strong academic preparation - well above typical regional publics and approaching mid-tier selective private levels. The strong 80% completion rate is consistent with this profile. Miami selects well and graduates students at high rates, making program choice (rather than completion risk) the primary value lever for prospective students.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Miami's peers include University of Akron-Main Campus, University of Akron-Wayne College, Mississippi State University, University of Louisville, and Montana State University. The peer set appears miscalibrated - by academic profile Miami compares to William & Mary, UVA, or UNC-Chapel Hill, not the listed institutions. Within the actual peer set, Miami's 54 score is comparable to Mississippi State and Louisville and outperforms the Akron campuses. The Scorecard peer algorithm appears to weight regional and enrollment size over academic selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami University-Oxford (this school) | 54 | $28,384 | $55,076 |
| University of Louisville | 58 | $17,988 | $53,899 |
| Mississippi State University | 54 | $17,595 | $51,513 |
| Montana State University | 52 | $22,499 | $53,263 |
| University of Akron Wayne College | 48 | $6,032 | $46,600 |
| University of Akron Main Campus | 38 | $13,946 | $46,600 |
Who Thrives Here
Miami fits academically prepared Ohio (and increasingly out-of-state) students seeking a residential public-flagship experience with strong business and engineering programs. Enrollment of 16,656 is substantial. Pell rate of just 12.6% is very low, reflecting a notably privileged student body - one of the lowest Pell rates among publics in our data. The data favors students entering business (finance, accounting, marketing, MIS), engineering, or quantitative methods majors; humanities and arts produce weak immediate outcomes. The institution's character (residential, Greek-heavy, traditional) is a significant qualitative factor beyond the data.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The financial case for Miami University-Oxford is mixed. At $28,384 per year net cost, graduates earn a median of $55,076 ten years after entry - a payback period of 12.6 years. That's below the average return for four-year institutions, and prospective students should carefully consider whether the investment aligns with their financial goals.
Key strengths include a 79.8% graduation rate. However, the data also shows weak earnings relative to cost.
Median debt of $23,000 against $55,076 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.