Computer Engineering at University of Miami

Computer engineering programs in Florida cluster fairly tightly around $75,000 in first-year earnings, which is what comparable programs suggest Miami graduates might expect. That figure lags behind the state's top performers—UF and USF graduates earn roughly $10,000-$13,000 more—but tracks with most other Florida programs. Nationally, computer engineering typically produces starting salaries around $79,000, so Florida outcomes run slightly below the nationwide median.

The estimated debt load of $26,000 creates a manageable 0.35 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe about a third of their first-year salary. That's reasonable for an engineering degree, and Miami's selectivity (19% admission rate) and strong student profile (1416 average SAT) suggest the school attracts competitive students who may have solid career networks. However, the limited Pell grant recipients (15%) indicate this is primarily serving affluent students, which may partly explain why debt appears contained despite Miami's high sticker price.

The practical question is whether Miami justifies its cost premium over flagship alternatives. UF produces significantly higher earnings at likely lower debt for in-state students. Unless your child has specific reasons to choose Miami—like wanting a private university experience or scholarship money that changes the math—Florida's public engineering programs appear to deliver stronger financial outcomes. The estimates here make it impossible to know if Miami's actual graduates outperform or underperform state averages, so treat this as a decision requiring additional due diligence on placement rates and specific career outcomes.