Analysis
Similar civil engineering programs in Florida produce first-year earnings around $66,000, which would put this University of Miami degree slightly below what neighboring public universities report for their graduates. While UF and USF graduates start in the low-$70,000s, peer programs suggest Miami's outcomes cluster with the state median—reasonable for civil engineering, but not commanding a premium despite the university's selective 19% admission rate and high SAT scores.
The estimated $27,000 in debt is higher than Florida's typical $23,000 for civil engineering programs, though it remains manageable with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41. Civil engineering is typically one of the safer bets in undergraduate education, where technical skills translate reliably to employment. However, you're likely paying a private school price tag (even with this modest estimated debt figure) for outcomes that comparable programs achieve at lower cost. The full cost of attendance here runs significantly higher than what's captured in federal loan data alone.
The practical question: does the Miami network and campus experience justify potentially paying more than you would at Florida's public flagships for what appear to be similar or slightly lower starting salaries? Without actual reported data for this specific program, you're making that choice based on what other Florida civil engineering programs deliver—and those suggest solid but not exceptional early career prospects.
Where University of Miami Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all civil engineering bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Florida
Civil Engineering bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Florida (13 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $59,926 | $66,215* | — | $27,000* | — | |
| $6,381 | $72,889* | $79,578 | $20,121* | 0.28 | |
| $6,410 | $70,047* | $75,400 | $23,000* | 0.33 | |
| $6,368 | $69,321* | $74,900 | $21,374* | 0.31 | |
| $5,656 | $67,050* | $73,180 | $23,199* | 0.35 | |
| $6,565 | $66,215* | $79,749 | $21,250* | 0.32 | |
| National Median | — | $69,574* | — | $24,500* | 0.35 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with civil engineering graduates
Architectural and Engineering Managers
Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
Petroleum Engineers
Environmental Engineers
Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers
Civil Engineers
Transportation Engineers
Water/Wastewater Engineers
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
Engineers, All Other
Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar
Mechatronics Engineers
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of Miami, approximately 15% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 9 similar programs in FL. Actual outcomes may vary.