Economics at University of Miami

University of Miami economics graduates start behind but catch up quickly—first-year earnings of $42,129 trail both the Florida median ($47,304) and national average ($51,722), placing them in just the 16th percentile nationally. However, by year four, median earnings jump 46% to $61,502, moving these graduates ahead of nearly all Florida competitors except Tampa. This trajectory suggests the Miami network and alumni connections take time to activate, which may frustrate graduates carrying debt while their peers at public universities start stronger.

The $17,500 debt load sits well below both state and national averages, which helps offset the slow start. That 0.42 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe less than half their first-year salary—manageable even during the lean early years. For a school with a 19% acceptance rate and average SAT of 1416, these outcomes seem underwhelming initially, but the earnings growth pattern indicates Miami's value emerges in the medium term rather than immediately post-graduation.

For families paying private school tuition, this creates a tricky calculation. Your child will likely earn less than friends at UCF or USF right after graduation, but should pull ahead by year four. Whether that delayed payoff justifies the higher total cost of attendance depends on your financial situation and tolerance for a slower earnings ramp.