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Ohio State University-Main Campus vs Miami University-Middletown: which has better ROI?

Public, Columbus OH · vs · Public, Middletown OH

The verdict

Ohio State University-Main Campus has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $69,356 in 5.8 years versus 6.4 years at Miami University-Middletown, on median earnings of $60,409 vs $55,076 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureOhio State University-Main CampusMiami University-Middletown
Net price / yr$17,339$10,809
Total net cost$69,356$43,236
Median earnings, 10 yrs$60,409$55,076
Median debt$19,976$23,000
Payback5.8 yrs6.4 yrs
20-year net return$171,624$91,084

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-Middletown?

Miami University-Middletown, at $10,809 a year after aid versus $17,339 — a gap of $6,530 a year, or $26,120 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-Middletown 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-Middletown. 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-Middletown?

Ohio State University-Main Campus: its completers carry a median $19,976 in federal loans versus $23,000 at Miami University-Middletown, 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 32% at Miami University-Middletown. 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.

Ohio State University-Main Campus vs Miami University-Middletown: frequently asked questions

Is Ohio State University-Main Campus or Miami University-Middletown a better value?
Ohio State University-Main Campus. It clears its $69,356 net cost in about 5.8 years versus 6.4 years at Miami University-Middletown, on median earnings of $60,409 vs $55,076 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Ohio State University-Main Campus or Miami University-Middletown?
Miami University-Middletown: $10,809/yr net price after aid versus $17,339/yr at Ohio State University-Main Campus — a difference of $6,530 a year, or about $26,120 over four years.
Do Ohio State University-Main Campus or Miami University-Middletown graduates earn more?
Ohio State University-Main Campus graduates earn a median $60,409 ten years after entry, versus $55,076 at Miami University-Middletown — a $5,333 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.