Mechanical Engineering at Miami University-Oxford

Miami University-Oxford's mechanical engineering graduates start below both national and state medians—earning $68,067 compared to the national average of $70,744 and Ohio's $69,161. Within Ohio's competitive landscape of 23 engineering programs, this lands in the 40th percentile, trailing schools like Ohio State ($79,359) and Toledo ($77,011) by $9,000-11,000 annually. For a program at a school with relatively selective admissions (SAT 1313), these outcomes suggest the degree isn't translating to premium starting positions.

The debt side looks reasonable at $25,100—nearly identical to state and national medians—resulting in a manageable 0.37 debt-to-earnings ratio. Graduates see solid 15% earnings growth by year four, reaching $78,265, which helps close some of the initial gap. Still, even after four years, earnings remain below what top Ohio programs deliver at the starting gate.

For an in-state student paying Ohio public tuition, this represents a safe but unspectacular choice. The debt won't be crushing, and the career trajectory is steady. However, if your child gained admission to Ohio State or Cincinnati's engineering programs, those alternatives offer meaningfully higher earning potential from day one. Out-of-state families should think twice given the premium they'd pay for below-average outcomes in a field where starting salary differences compound over a career.