Analysis
University of Miami's mechanical engineering graduates start modestly at $67K but see their earnings jump 40% to $93K by year four—one of the stronger growth trajectories you'll find in engineering. That said, first-year earnings trail both national and Florida medians, landing in just the 40th percentile statewide. With UF grads starting at $76K and programs like FIU and USF clustering around $70-71K, UM sits toward the back of the pack among Florida's public universities.
The $19,000 debt burden partially offsets the slower start—it's below both state and national medians, though still higher than ideal compared to many programs' debt-to-earnings ratios. The real uncertainty here comes from sample size: with fewer than 30 graduates in the dataset, a few outliers could skew these numbers significantly. That fourth-year earnings figure of $93K could reflect just a handful of exceptional outcomes rather than typical career progression.
For families paying private school tuition at a 19% acceptance rate institution, the question is whether the Miami network and brand justify starting $5-10K behind nearby public alternatives. If your child has comparable offers from UF or Florida Tech, those programs show stronger immediate returns. But if the small sample proves representative, UM grads who stick with engineering may eventually catch up.
Where University of Miami Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all mechanical engineering bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How University of Miami graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Miami | $66,843 | $93,219 | +39% |
| Florida Institute of Technology | $69,533 | $84,606 | +22% |
| University of Florida-Online | $76,228 | $83,832 | +10% |
| University of Florida | $76,228 | $83,832 | +10% |
| Florida International University | $71,335 | $83,193 | +17% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Florida
Mechanical Engineering bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Florida (16 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 University of MiamiCoral Gables | $59,926 | $66,843 | $93,219 | $19,000 | 0.28 |
 University of Florida-OnlineGainesville | $3,876 | $76,228 | $83,832 | $18,131 | 0.24 |
 University of FloridaGainesville | $6,381 | $76,228 | $83,832 | $18,131 | 0.24 |
 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona BeachDaytona Beach | $42,304 | $73,433 | $77,804 | $27,000 | 0.37 |
 Florida International UniversityMiami | $6,565 | $71,335 | $83,193 | $19,750 | 0.28 |
 University of South FloridaTampa | $6,410 | $70,046 | $81,750 | $23,783 | 0.34 |
| National Median | — | $70,744 | — | $24,755 | 0.35 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with mechanical engineering graduates
Architectural and Engineering Managers
Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
Aerospace Engineers
Mechanical Engineers
Fuel Cell Engineers
Automotive Engineers
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
Cost Estimators
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.
Sample Size: Based on 23 graduates with reported earnings and 21 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.