At $13,824/yr net price, Miami University-Middletown graduates earn $55,076/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $21,076/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $13,824 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $55,296 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $55,076/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$21,076/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 24.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $23,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,949/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $11,514/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,874/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $15,364/yr |
| $110,001+ | $15,465/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Technology, General. | Bachelor | $66,821 | $18,750 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $59,576 | $25,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $56,716 | $24,807 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $40,089 | $19,750 |
| Data Processing. | Associate | $39,369 | $20,062 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor | $34,793 | $28,489 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $33,281 | $19,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $32,925 | |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor | $31,466 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $30,926 | $23,250 |
The Risk Factor
24.5% of students at Miami University-Middletown graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
The financial return at Miami University-Middletown is mixed, and it hinges almost entirely on which major you pick. The low net price keeps your downside small, but the 24.5% graduation rate is the biggest threat to your money here. If you leave without a degree, you still owe the debt and lose the earnings bump a credential brings.
Your major decision matters more than the school name. Engineering Technology graduates out-earn the school's median by over $11,000 while carrying less debt than any other program listed. Computer and Information Sciences and Registered Nursing also clear the median comfortably and lead to identifiable regional jobs in the Cincinnati-Dayton corridor. The Liberal Arts and General Studies path is where the math turns against you: it pairs the lowest earnings with the highest debt of any program here, meaning you borrow more to earn less. Communication and Media Studies lands in the middle but still trails the school median.
The specific risk at this school is completion, not cost. With 62% retention and less than a quarter of students finishing, the odds of walking away with debt and no degree are real. Budget your time and course load to actually graduate, because the ROI case falls apart if you don't.
The net price stays flat across income brackets, so families over $110k pay only about $5,500 more per year than families under $30k. This school is a strong financial fit if you commit to Engineering Technology, computing, or nursing and you can afford to enroll full-time and finish. Look elsewhere if you're drawn to the liberal arts programs here, or if you're not confident you'll complete the degree, since those are the scenarios where the debt outpaces the payoff.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Miami University-Middletown worth the cost compared to other colleges?
Miami University-Middletown offers decent value with a net price of $13,824 and median earnings of $55,076 after 10 years. However, the 24.5% graduation rate is concerning and means many students leave without completing their degree.
What are the best paying programs at Miami University-Middletown?
Engineering Technology leads with $66,821 median earnings, followed by Computer Science at $59,576 and Nursing at $56,716. Communication and Data Processing programs show significantly lower returns at around $40,000.
How much debt do Miami University-Middletown graduates typically have?
Graduates carry a median debt of $23,000, which is manageable given the school's low net price. The bigger risk is not graduating at all, which affects three out of four students who enroll.
Should I attend Miami University-Middletown or transfer to a four-year school?
The low graduation rate suggests many students struggle to complete programs here. If you're certain about your major and committed to finishing, the technical programs offer solid returns, but consider four-year options if you need more academic support.