Ohio State University-Main Campus vs Miami University-Hamilton: which has better ROI?
Ohio State University-Main Campus has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $69,356 in 5.8 years versus 6.7 years at Miami University-Hamilton, on median earnings of $60,409 vs $55,076 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Ohio State University-Main Campus | Miami University-Hamilton |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,339 | $11,286 |
| Total net cost | $69,356 | $45,144 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $60,409 | $55,076 |
| Median debt | $19,976 | $23,000 |
| Payback | 5.8 yrs | 6.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $171,624 | $89,176 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Ohio State University-Main Campus or Miami University-Hamilton?
Miami University-Hamilton, at $11,286 a year after aid versus $17,339 — a gap of $6,053 a year, or $24,212 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Ohio State University-Main Campus or Miami University-Hamilton graduates earn more?
Ohio State University-Main Campus graduates report a median $60,409 ten years after entry, $5,333 more than the $55,076 at Miami University-Hamilton. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Ohio State University-Main Campus or Miami University-Hamilton?
Ohio State University-Main Campus: its completers carry a median $19,976 in federal loans versus $23,000 at Miami University-Hamilton, a difference of $3,024. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
88% of students finish at Ohio State University-Main Campus, against 25% at Miami University-Hamilton. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.