Milwaukee, WI · Private University
Is Marquette University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$78,257
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$48,700
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$48,700
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$194,800
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.61x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
4.5 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
80.1%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$23,940
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$29,237
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Marquette University graduates earn $33,257 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Marquette University ranked by graduate earnings
17 graduates
21 graduates
112 graduates
92 graduates
32 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Marquette University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Marquette University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Real Estate: $88,908) and the lowest (Business/Corporate Communications: $39,816) is $49,092/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Real EstateBest ROI | $88,908 | 1.8x |
| Computer Engineering | $87,293 | 1.8x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $85,623 | 1.8x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $83,528 | 1.7x |
| Civil Engineering | $80,636 | 1.7x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $80,539 | 1.6x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $80,469 | 1.6x |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $79,984 | 1.6x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $78,328 | 1.6x |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $75,524 | 1.6x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $74,296 | 1.5x |
| Marketing | $73,964 | 1.5x |
| International Business | $73,820 | 1.5x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $73,164 | 1.5x |
| Economics | $68,340 | 1.4x |
| Mathematics | $66,922 | 1.4x |
| Biology, General | $66,072 | 1.4x |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $58,898 | 1.2x |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $58,618 | 1.2x |
| Political Science and Government | $58,230 | 1.2x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $56,772 | 1.2x |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | $54,837 | 1.1x |
| Journalism | $51,254 | 1.1x |
| Psychology, General | $50,539 | 1.0x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $50,344 | 1.0x |
| History | $50,050 | 1.0x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $49,182 | 1.0x |
| Social Work | $49,043 | 1.0x |
| Criminology | $48,522 | 1.0x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $46,059 | 0.9x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas(1yr data) | $45,974 | 0.9x |
| International Relations and National Security Studies(1yr data) | $43,290 | 0.9x |
| Business/Corporate CommunicationsLowest(1yr data) | $39,816 | 0.8x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marquette University | 1.61x | $78,257 | Good ROI |
| Butler University | 1.68x | $77,235 | Good ROI |
| University of St Thomas | 1.41x | $73,739 | Average ROI |
| Bradley University | 1.69x | $66,852 | Good ROI |
| Loyola University Chicago | 1.38x | $71,530 | Average ROI |
| Duquesne University | 1.58x | $74,742 | Good ROI |
The Bottom Line
Marquette University offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $78,257 10 years after starting — $33,257 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 4.5 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.