Huntington, WV · Private University
Is Marshall University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$46,354
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$8,942
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$20,294
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$81,176
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.28x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
7.1 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
48.7%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$23,250
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$8,327
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Marshall University graduates earn $1,354 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 Marshall University ranked by graduate earnings
35 graduates
26 graduates
17 graduates
147 graduates
23 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Marshall University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Marshall University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Engineering, General: $73,482) and the lowest (Systems Science and Theory: $29,539) is $43,943/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering, GeneralBest ROI | $73,482 | 3.6x |
| Chemistry | $69,097 | 3.4x |
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians(1yr data) | $67,923 | 3.4x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering(1yr data) | $67,548 | 3.3x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $62,166 | 3.1x |
| Mechanical Engineering(1yr data) | $61,020 | 3.0x |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions(1yr data) | $60,610 | 3.0x |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $56,885 | 2.8x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $55,966 | 2.8x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General(1yr data) | $52,047 | 2.6x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $50,289 | 2.5x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $46,912 | 2.3x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $44,768 | 2.2x |
| Marketing | $43,950 | 2.2x |
| Journalism | $41,792 | 2.1x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $40,913 | 2.0x |
| Social Work | $40,200 | 2.0x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $40,056 | 2.0x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $38,737 | 1.9x |
| Biology, General | $38,607 | 1.9x |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | $38,568 | 1.9x |
| Psychology, General | $36,901 | 1.8x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $36,014 | 1.8x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $31,451 | 1.6x |
| Systems Science and TheoryLowest(1yr data) | $29,539 | 1.5x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Marshall University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $46,354 10 years after starting, $1,354 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 7.1 years, a reasonable timeline.
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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.