Sustainability Studies at Miami University-Hamilton

Hamilton, OH · Public · Bachelor's Degree
50 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
51
Optimistic
50
Base Case
48
Pessimistic
Earnings $37,223/yr (0% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Large (45,900 openings/yr)
ROI 20.7x earnings multiple (8.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #3 of 22 Sustainability Studies programs Top 25%

Program Analysis

Miami University-Hamilton's Sustainability Studies program, recognized nationally for its quality, prepares you for a diverse field. As a regional campus, its strength often lies in connecting students with local and regional opportunities across Ohio, from municipal planning and environmental compliance to corporate sustainability roles in manufacturing. Your initial earning potential will reflect this regional market, where many foundational sustainability roles in non-profits, local government, or consulting firms offer steady growth rather than outsized starting salaries, even with a strong program. Considering the high AI risk associated with some roles in this field, focus your efforts on developing uniquely human skills. Prioritize internships and projects emphasizing stakeholder engagement, policy analysis, community organizing, and complex problem-solving. These experiences build a portfolio proving you can navigate intricate social and environmental challenges that technology alone cannot solve.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Sustainability Studies graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $614K $602K $547K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 21.1x 20.7x 18.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.1x 8.0x 7.3x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 44% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 51 50 48

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,112
Out-of-state: $75,388 (8.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$53,384
-83% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,370
7.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$64,054
72% growth from Year 1

About Miami University-Hamilton

a compact campus enrolling 2,025 students in Hamilton, OH.

See all programs and financial aid at Miami University-Hamilton →

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Social scientists and related workers, all other $100,340/yr
Environmental science teachers, postsecondary $87,710/yr
View all 8 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Sustainability Studies at Other Schools

Other Majors at Miami University-Hamilton

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Miami University-Hamilton's Sustainability Studies program score?
This program scores 50/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Sustainability Studies graduates.
How vulnerable is Sustainability Studies to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Sustainability Studies careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 44% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does Miami University-Hamilton rank so high for Sustainability Studies?
The #3 ranking out of 22 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →