Industrial Engineering at University of Miami

University of Miami's industrial engineering program graduates leave with exceptionally low debt—just $15,110, which puts them in the 95th percentile nationally (meaning 95% of programs saddle students with more). That's $10,000 less than the Florida median and nearly $25,000 below the national average for this major. Combined with first-year earnings around $71,000, graduates face a debt burden of just 21% of their starting salary, one of the most manageable ratios you'll find in engineering.

The earnings picture is more nuanced. At $71,000, starting salaries trail the national median by about $3,600 but actually exceed Florida's state median. Among the five Florida schools offering industrial engineering, Miami ranks in the 60th percentile—middle of the pack within the state, though behind Florida State's $76,400. Growth to $76,000 by year four is steady if unspectacular, representing about 7% wage progression.

Here's the caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes could vary significantly from these figures. For families who can afford Miami's selective environment (19% admission rate) or secure strong financial aid, the combination of minimal debt and solid mid-career earnings creates financial breathing room that many engineering programs don't offer. The trade-off is paying for a private university while earning slightly below what you'd make at the national level—though the debt advantage helps offset that gap considerably.