Miami University Students: A Unique And Diverse Community

Miami University, informally known as Miami of Ohio, is a public research university in Oxford, Ohio, United States. It was founded in 1809 and is the second-oldest university in the state and the tenth-oldest public university in the country. The university has a strong relationship with the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, from whom it takes its name. Miami University offers a liberal arts education with over 120 undergraduate degree programs and more than 70 graduate degree programs. The student body is diverse, with students from 48 states and 101 countries, and the gender distribution is almost evenly split between male and female students. The university has a reputation for its beautiful campus, with poet Robert Frost describing it as The most beautiful campus that ever there was.

Demographics of students

Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, is a large, primarily residential teaching university with a focus on undergraduate studies. The university offers more than 100 majors, 48 minors, and 11 co-majors. In the 2022-2023 academic year, the most popular majors were finance, marketing, psychology, computer science, and biology.

Miami University had a total enrollment of 22,971 admitted students in 2020. The Oxford campus, the main campus, had 18,669 students, including 16,522 undergraduates and 2,147 graduate and professional students. The gender distribution was 49% male and 51% female, making Miami University one of the most gender-balanced undergraduate institutions in the United States. The student body is diverse, with students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and 122 countries worldwide. The international student population at Miami University comprises approximately 1,614 students from 67 countries, with the largest groups typically coming from China, Vietnam, India, Nepal, and South Korea.

In terms of racial and ethnic diversity, Miami University's student body is predominantly White (41.7%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (24.6%), Black or African American (8.88%), Asian (4.63%), Two or More Races (3.57%), Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders (0.155%), and American Indian or Alaska Native (0.113%). The undergraduate population is slightly different, with 53% female and 47% male students.

Miami University's first-year admitted student profile for Fall 2023 shows that 44% of students were from Ohio, with the remaining 56% coming from other states, the District of Columbia, and various countries. The university received 36,872 applications and accepted 29,787 (80.8%) of them. Of the admitted students, 52.2% submitted ACT or SAT scores, with middle 50% ranges of 25-31 and 1220-1390, respectively.

Tuition fees and financial aid

Miami University's main campus is in Oxford, Ohio, with regional campuses in Hamilton, Middletown, and West Chester, Ohio, and an international campus in Luxembourg. Miami University is a public university, and for the 2024-2025 academic year, the tuition and general fees for the Oxford campus were $17,264 per year for Ohio residents and $38,293 per year for non-Ohio residents. The tuition fees for the regional campuses are significantly lower, with first-time students paying $3,536 per semester for in-state students and $9,098 per semester for out-of-state students.

Miami University's Tuition Promise guarantees that most costs, including tuition, housing, food, special purpose fees, and course fees, are frozen for up to four years of undergraduate education. This ensures that the value of renewable scholarships and other financial aid is retained.

The Farmer School of Business has a course fee of $132 per credit hour for most business school courses. The College of Creative Arts has a $50 per semester fee for students majoring in Architecture, Interior Design, Music, Music Education, or Music Performance. The College of Engineering and Computing has a $595 per semester fee for its students.

Miami University provides a student aid calculator to help estimate financial aid eligibility. Students can also apply for financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Student life and activities

Student Activities and Organizations

Miami University boasts over 600 student organizations, providing ample opportunities for students to get involved and make a difference on campus and in the surrounding communities. These organizations cover a wide range of interests, including varsity sports clubs, professional fraternities, political and religious groups, fashion, theatre, and LGBTQ+ organizations. The university also has an active Student Government, providing a platform for students to voice their opinions and engage in decision-making.

Greek Life

Miami University has a long tradition of Greek life and is nicknamed the "Mother of Fraternities." Approximately one-third of the undergraduate student population are members of the Greek community, which offers opportunities for leadership development, community service, scholarship, and friendship.

Academic Support and Resources

The university provides extensive academic support and resources to its students. The academic divisions, including the College of Arts and Science, Farmer School of Business, College of Creative Arts, and College of Engineering and Computing, offer a diverse range of programs and degrees. The university also offers career counselling, honours programs, writing workshops, and study abroad opportunities to enhance students' educational experience.

Student Amenities and Wellness

Miami University prioritizes the well-being of its students and offers a range of amenities and wellness programs. The Donna E. Shalala Student Center serves as a hub for students to eat, study, attend events, and socialize. The university also has residential halls, sporting venues, and a shuttle service for easy navigation across the campus. The Patti and Allan Herbert Wellness Center is renowned for its recreational sports, fitness, and wellness education programs, ensuring students' holistic development.

Campus Life and Community

With a beautiful campus and a classic college town setting, Miami University offers a vibrant campus life. The nearby uptown area features small shops and local eateries. The university also emphasizes community engagement and civic involvement, with over 40 service organizations and numerous volunteer opportunities. The Student Center Complex is a bustling hub for student activities and events, fostering a strong sense of community.

Athletics and Extracurriculars

Athletics and extracurricular activities play a significant role in student life at Miami University. The university's athletic teams, known as the Miami RedHawks, compete in various sports, including football, basketball, and ice hockey. The Marching Band is the largest student organization on campus, with around 250 to 275 members. The university also has a thriving media presence, with a student-run newspaper, radio station, and television station.

In conclusion, student life and activities at Miami University offer a well-rounded and engaging experience. Students are encouraged to explore their interests, develop leadership skills, and actively contribute to the campus and local communities. The university provides the resources and support necessary for students to excel academically, personally, and professionally.

Academic programs and rankings

Miami University, also known as Miami University—Oxford, is a public research university in Oxford, Ohio, United States. It was founded in 1809 and is the second-oldest university in Ohio and the tenth-oldest public university in the country. The university offers a liberal arts education and has seven academic divisions:

• College of Arts and Science
• Farmer School of Business
• College of Creative Arts
• College of Education, Health and Society
• College of Engineering and Computing
• College of Liberal Arts and Applied Science
• The Graduate School

Miami University provides over 120 undergraduate degree programs and more than 70 graduate degree programs. The College of Arts and Science is the largest college, with nearly half of the undergraduate student body enrolled. It offers 70 majors in areas such as the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences, as well as pre-law and pre-medical programs. The Farmer School of Business is also well-known and offers nine majors, including graduate MBA, accountancy, and economics degrees.

In terms of rankings, Miami University has consistently been recognised as a top institution. In the 2025 edition of Best Colleges, it ranked #136 among National Universities and #69 among Top Public Schools. It was also ranked #196 in Best Value Schools. Miami University has also been recognised for its undergraduate teaching, ranking among the top public universities in this category for over ten consecutive years. Additionally, it was ranked #1 among Ohio public universities for return on investment, with graduates earning a mid-career median income of $118,400.

The university has a strong focus on research, with approximately 3,000 students working on funded research projects with professors and mentors during the 2021-2022 academic year. It is also classified as an "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity" institution.

History and traditions

Miami University is one of the country's first public universities, made possible by a law that President George Washington signed in 1795. The university was officially chartered in 1809 and welcomed its first students in 1824.

Miami University was founded in Oxford, Ohio, and is named after the Myaamia people, whose homelands are in the Miami Valley. The university has a strong relationship with the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, grounded in a shared commitment to learning from each other.

The university's history can be divided into five distinct historical eras: Old Miami (1787-1885), New Miami (1885-1941), National University (1941-1970), Public Ivy (1970-1996), and Corporate University (1996-2009).

Miami University has a long tradition of Greek life, with the first fraternity, Alpha Delta Phi, being established in 1833. The university earned the nickname "Mother of Fraternities" as three fraternities, known as the Miami Triad, were founded there: Beta Theta Pi (1839), Phi Delta Theta (1848), and Sigma Chi (1855). Today, Miami University hosts over 50 fraternity and sorority chapters, and approximately one-third of the undergraduate students are members of the Greek community.

The university has several unique traditions, including:

• Rubbing the heads of the copper turtles on the Tri-Delt Sundial for good luck before exams
• Avoiding stepping on the University Seal, or "The Great Seal at the Hub," out of respect for the university's history and values, with the belief that doing so will result in failing your next exam
• The Upham Arch, where it is said that kissing your true love will lead to marriage and an unbreakable bond
• Broomball, with over 100 teams registered, allowing students to participate in different levels of competition
• Walking around trees with a group of friends, with the belief that splitting up to pass on different sides will cause the friendship to falter

Miami University is also known for its beautiful campus, with a focus on preserving nature and architectural continuity in the modified Georgian design style. The campus includes notable buildings such as Franklin Hall, the first multipurpose building constructed in 1818, and Elliott Hall, the oldest standing residence hall built in 1825.

Frequently asked questions