Engineering: Syracuse [$84k], Miami University (Ohio) [$43k], or URI [$52k]

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Trying to decide between Syracuse University and Miami University, with University of Rhode Island as a third option.

I’d be entering as an undecided/exploratory engineering student, likely leaning mechanical.

Key interests:

  • Flexibility to explore within engineering before declaring

  • Interdisciplinary options (entrepreneurship or business minor)

  • Hands-on opportunities like Baja SAE / Formula SAE

Syracuse (admitted to CEMS for Engineering, Undecided)

Loved a lot about it:

  • Strong overall vibe, school spirit, and campus energy

  • Really liked the city access

  • Dorms (split doubles) were great

  • Professors seemed accessible

  • Invent@SU stood out as a big plus

  • Watching a game in the Dome was a great experience

Concerns:

  • Engineering building felt a bit dated, dark, and compartmentalized
    (Not sure if we just didn’t see the best lab spaces on tour)

  • Est. COA: $86K/year after merit

  • Hard to justify unless the outcomes/opportunities clearly outweigh other options

Miami University (OH) (admitted to CEC for Exploratory Engineering)

  • Beautiful campus + college town (Oxford)

  • Facilities felt newer and more cohesive

  • Strong emphasis on interdisciplinary study (engineering + entrepreneurship)

  • Very welcoming, design your own program vibe

  • Est. COA: $43K/year after merit with tuition guarantee

Concerns:

  • Recruiting reach in NY / New England

  • Distance from home (would need to fly)

QUESTIONS:

  • How do Syracuse vs Miami compare for engineering outcomes (especially mechanical)?

  • Is Syracuse worth the premium in terms of internships, recruiting, and long-term network?

  • How strong is Miami’s placement into Northeast jobs?

  • Any first year experience with Baja/FSAE teams at either school?

  • Did anyone feel differently about Syracuse engineering facilities after a second visit?

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As someone who went to SU and visited with my son 6 years ago, I’m not seeing this. We had Marshall Street. Eventually we had the Carousel Mall - which seems to now be called Destiny USA. We had AAA baseball but city, I don’t think so.

Beautiful school though.

Miami is a haul from the Cincinnati Airport but lots do it. This is engineering - there’s no issue with recruiting reach because you will most likely find your job on line - and many companies post through each school’s handshake.

My son (in the south) had offers in Mass, the heartland, Alabama, Tennessee, and a couple that rotated to different parts of the country. H is at one of those and primarily was out West although he could have asked for an assignment in the NE - but had no interest.

And $45K covers a lot of flights.

Miami is more - hmmmm - well Marshall Street is probably a bit more refined than Oxford - or used to be.

Where does URI come in expense wise?

If you are looking at ROI, Miami is a no brainer. If your parents can afford $86K, then pick what you want. But in engineering, the where you go matters little as long as you have ABET accreditation, short of a few schools.

SU doesn’t break out career outcomes by major - so this is for engineering and computer science. CS likely pays higher than the average - and MechE likely average or a little below which would track others. So nothing below is MechE specific.

College of Engineering and Computer Science

Results reflect information on 277 of 324 undergraduate degree recipients, representing an 85% knowledge rate.

Outcomes Breakdown

  • 53% employed

  • 37% continuing education

  • 6% still seeking employment

  • 4% enlisted in military service

  • <1% volunteering

Overall Career Outcome Rate: 94%

Average Starting Salary: $79,204

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Miami doesn’t seem to have data short of a school page - but I’d imagine it’s similar - most schools, the MechEs will make in the 70s coming out.

The Ohio tuition guarantee is awesome. I’m an SU alum but they’re throwing out money like crazy - tuition, room and board is high 80s - so if you are at $86K, either you got very little merit or something is off.

Frankly, SU simply isn’t worth it - in my opinion. And the cost of flights from wherever you’ll be coming from isn’t going to be that much.

But if your parents are willing to pay for SU at that amount (with annual increases), then choose which you prefer.

Best of luck.

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https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/ shows Syracuse ME bachelor’s graduates who got federal financial aid earning $91k median in early career. Miami OH is shown at $87k. URI is shown at $90k. So not a lot of difference (median for all colleges is $92k).

Other aspects of post graduation employment may differ (e.g. types of industries, locations, etc.)

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Thank you for the detailed response, really helpful.

Coming from a wooded suburban setting, downtown Syracuse felt like more of a city environment, even if it’s not a major metro. I guess it probably depends on what you’re comparing it to.

SU total COA is about $97K for 2026-27 and so $13K in merit brought that down only slightly. I’ve seen a wide range of responses online, from no merit to awards in the $30K range, with a few higher outliers. It doesn’t seem especially consistent and may come down to stats or specific programs. IDK. A family friend with a higher GPA didn’t receive merit, which added to the confusion.

Across the board, most private schools offered me between $25K–$40K in merit, while public universities tended to fall in the $10K–$15K range.

URI is coming in around $52K with merit.

We’re also planning to visit Union College, which is about $58K with merit (and closer to $93K without). Parents want me to see a smaller campus to help round out the decision.

The biggest hangup with Miami is distance. I’d prefer to be within driving range of home. With Syracuse, I’m fortunate to have some funds from an inheritance, but it’s still hard to reconcile the overall cost. And right now URI feels more like a second choice compared to the others.

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Where is home, and do you have any in state public options?

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CT. Didn’t apply in-state but URI is two hours and SU is four+. Both manageable for when I need to come home.

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But when are you going and why are you going ? I think I used to get Sal’s Birdiand down there. That’s it. You won’t be there.

I tend not to look at COA but just tuition, fees, room and board. I say this because personal and transport costs differ based on the school but as they’re not paid to the school, they don’t know.

You likely won’t come home that much.

URI might be a reasonable sub. SUNY New Paltz and CCSU are still taking apps. Both are ABET accredited.

I get the distance thing. You have inheritance but as you note, should you spend it all ? Up to you.

I’m sure you can find other uses for the inheritance.

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My son comes home a few times a semester - it’s only 2 hours away so it’s super easy. I don’t think my daughter who will be at least 6 hours a way will be home much if at all during the semester.

Also Miami is pretty remote - it’s not just a flight, consider how you get to and from campus.

that being said - wow that’s a big price difference! Did URI not vibe with you? Union is a pretty good STEM school but it is possible it’s too small for what you are looking for.

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Easy 50 minute uber to airport or as our tour guide told us, easy to get a ride at breaks. The airport is south of Cincy in Kentucky, on the way for anyone driving home to Louisville, Lexington, Nashville, etc. the highway rings the city so likely smooth sailing. it’s also the south/midwest. People drive longer distances than the NE.

Yes it’s remote and Oxford isn’t huge. But $40k plus and no price inflation and likely cheaper off campus housing - it’s a big delta.

As for SU merit, there were crazy stories last year about last minute crazy merit offers - ie increases from the initial. And OP - hard to look at others’ from an offers POV - gpa - each person, from major to gpa to family ability to pay to ECs - all of it comes into play.

Temple has an April 30 deadline. Area outside supposedly not great. But another flagship alternate you can try. Fine rep. Not sure if merit still happening. But would be in 50s without.

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