Admit rate has ranged 19%–33% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
The University of Miami is a private research powerhouse in Coral Gables, Florida, where palm trees meet rigorous academics. Known for its selective admissions (19% acceptance rate), strong marine science and music programs, and a student body that skews affluent, UM offers a sun-drenched collegiate experience with a side of Division I sports and Miami's vibrant cultural scene. Just don't forget your sunscreen—or your wallet.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program
Demonstrated competencies
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
12,913
In-state tuition
$62,616
Out-of-state tuition
$62,616
Acceptance Rate
19%
Graduation Rate
84%
Undergraduate Majors
180+
Student-Faculty Ratio
11:1
Total Cost of Attendance
~$80,000
Median Earnings After 1 Year
$36,427
Average Need-Based Scholarship
$51,153
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$75,328
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.0×
Median debt at graduation
$17,500
Graduation rate
84%
First-year retention
94%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
73%
Pell (lower-income) share
46%
First-generation share
20%
Endowment / student
$123,121
Financial health
3.0 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Computer Science$78,343
Mechanical Engineering$72,796
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering$71,015
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$65,621
Industrial Engineering$65,238
Finance and Financial Management Services
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
7
Per 1,000 students
0.54
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
93
Summer high
87°F
Winter low
64°F
Annual rain
66"
Natural-hazard risk
Very High
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
911
Scholarly works
169,584
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
3.0%
Bottom → top quintile
40%
From bottom quintile
7%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at University of Miami?
University of Miami's acceptance rate is approximately 19% (Coral Gables, FL), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for University of Miami?
Admitted students at University of Miami typically score 1320–1480 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does University of Miami cost?
At University of Miami, the average net price (after aid) is about $37,244 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend University of Miami?
University of Miami enrolls approximately 12,913 undergraduate students.
Where is University of Miami located?
University of Miami is located in Coral Gables, FL.
Admissions
Getting into the University of Miami is no walk on South Beach—the school admitted just 19% of applicants recently, with early decision applicants enjoying a significantly higher Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. (52%). The middle 50% SAT range for admitted students who submitted scores was 1340-1480, while the ACT range was 30-34. About half of admitted students had an unweighted GPA of 3.8 or higher. UM considers academic rigor, GPA, and test scores (when submitted) as 'very important' factors, while also valuing extracurricular activities and character/personal qualities.
UM offers students more than 180 undergraduate majors across 9 schools and colleges, with particularly strong programs in marine science (thanks to its coastal location), music (through the selective Frost School), and business. The student-faculty ratio is an intimate 11:1, and over half of classes have fewer than 20 students. The architecture program requires study abroad, while the international studies major mandates foreign language proficiency and coursework across economics, history, and policy analysis. This is a research university where undergraduates can get involved in projects—if they can tear themselves away from the beach.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
$60,623
Accounting and Related Services$59,124
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations$58,673
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Life at UM swings between intense academics and intense socializing, with students describing a culture that can feel like 'keeping up with the Joneses' at this pricey private school. The university offers over 300 student organizations, from community service groups to cultural clubs. Campus traditions include Hurricane football games (Division I ACC) and the 'Canes Carnival. While some students note the social scene can be cliquey, others praise the diverse community and Miami's endless entertainment options—just be prepared for the occasional hurricane warning between beach days.
UM graduates enjoy strong outcomes, with an 84% graduation rate (well above national averages) and 95% of recent graduates employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation. The median earnings one year post-graduation is $36,427, though this varies significantly by major. The average time to degree is 4.1 years, and median student debt is $17,500—relatively low for a private university, likely due to substantial merit and Need-based aidFinancial aid awarded based on your family's ability to pay, as measured by forms like the FAFSA, rather than on achievements. packages.
Attending UM comes at a premium—total Cost of attendanceThe full estimated yearly cost of a college: tuition, fees, housing, food, books, and other expenses, before any financial aid. runs over $80,000 annually. However, the university provides generous aid, with the average first-year need-based scholarship hitting $51,153. About 40% of first-year students receive Need-based aidFinancial aid awarded based on your family's ability to pay, as measured by forms like the FAFSA, rather than on achievements., and the average aid package (including loans) is $60,263. The 'Miami Within Reach' program helps middle-income families estimate net costs, but students should be prepared for Miami's high cost of living beyond tuition.
The University of Miami blends rigorous academics with an enviable location, offering research opportunities you'd expect from a top-tier university alongside the sunshine and nightlife of South Florida. Its Frost School of Music is world-renowned, while marine science researchers have the Atlantic as their laboratory. The school's greatest strength—its Miami location—also presents challenges, from high costs to occasional distractions. For students who can navigate both the academic demands and social pressures, UM provides a unique collegiate experience where classroom learning is complemented by real-world exposure to international business, arts, and environmental issues.
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