Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at Miami University-Oxford

Miami University-Oxford's engineering program sits in an unusual position—its estimated outcomes mirror the state median exactly, yet trail Ohio's top programs by $10,000 to nearly $15,000 in first-year earnings. Based on comparable Ohio engineering programs, graduates here can expect around $70,000 starting, which is respectable but notably below both the national median of $77,710 and what nearby competitors deliver. The estimated debt of roughly $25,000 looks reasonable on its face, creating a manageable 0.36 debt-to-earnings ratio that suggests borrowers would dedicate about a third of their first-year salary to loans.

Here's what matters: similar programs across Ohio produce a wide earnings spread, and Miami appears to cluster with the middle rather than leading pack. Ohio State, Cincinnati, Toledo, Dayton, and Case Western all report stronger outcomes, suggesting that location and employer networks matter considerably in this field. For a school with an 82% admission rate and a 1313 average SAT, you'd hope to see Miami punching above its selectivity weight given engineering's typically strong ROI, but the state data doesn't show that happening.

The practical takeaway? Engineering remains one of the safer bets financially, and a debt load under $25,000 won't sink anyone earning nearly $70,000. But if your student has the academic profile for Miami, they likely qualify for Ohio's stronger programs where peers are landing jobs that pay 10-15% more out of the gate—a difference that compounds significantly over a career.