Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods at Miami University-Oxford

Miami University's Management Sciences program launches graduates into strong first-year earnings of $74,770—ranking in the 80th percentile among Ohio programs and well above both the state median ($57,927) and national average ($62,069). Only Ohio State outperforms it among major Ohio programs. The $27,000 median debt is also notably favorable, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36 that should be manageable even for graduates entering analytical roles in smaller markets.

The concerning element is the earnings trajectory: graduates see income decline to $69,671 by year four, a 7% drop that's unusual for quantitative business fields. This pattern might reflect the program's moderate sample size creating statistical noise, or it could indicate graduates are concentrated in industries or roles with different career arcs than typical analytics positions. The 1313 average SAT and 82% admission rate suggest this isn't a hyper-selective program, so the strong placement outcomes likely reflect solid industry connections rather than pure brand prestige.

For parents, the first-year numbers make this a reasonable investment—your child would start with earnings far exceeding debt in a field with strong demand. The earnings dip warrants a conversation with career services about where graduates actually work and why the trajectory differs from typical analytics careers, but the low debt load provides a financial cushion even if that pattern continues.