Marquette University combines accessible admission (87.4% acceptance rate) with exceptional post-graduation earnings that rank at the 93rd percentile nationally. As a Selective Achiever institution, the university delivers $15,191 higher earnings than peer institutions while maintaining manageable debt levels and strong outcomes for low-income graduates.
With top-tier performance, driven by strong long-term earnings that significantly exceed peer institutions
With modestly below average performance, reflecting higher net costs and debt levels compared to similar institutions
With modestly below average performance, indicating limited enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students relative to peers
With well above average performance, reflecting the institution's effectiveness in generating economic advancement for its graduates
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisMarquette University generates strong returns on educational investment despite carrying higher costs than typical institutions. Graduates earn $78,257 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 93rd percentile nationally and $15,191 above the peer median of $63,066.
However, earnings fall $2,752 below expectations relative to similar student demographics, placing the institution around the national average for earnings uplift at the 43.9th percentile. Earnings span from $54,671 at the 25th percentile to $105,538 at the 75th percentile, reflecting diverse career trajectories across academic programs.
Students seeking strong post-graduation outcomes from a Catholic university with open admission policies. Well-suited for those who want access to high-quality programs without extremely competitive admission requirements, particularly in business, engineering, and health fields where Marquette delivers above-average earnings.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the Marquette University hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/marquette-university/analysis.
Open admission with top-tier career outcomes
Marquette University ranks #466 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, achieving above-average performance at the 71.4th percentile. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this medium-sized private nonprofit Catholic university maintains an 87.4% acceptance rate, placing it in the Open Access tier while delivering strong post-graduation outcomes.
The institution enrolls 18.8% Pell-eligible students and 19.3% first-generation students, reflecting a student body with moderate economic diversity. Marquette operates as a Selective Achiever institution, serving fewer low-income students relative to peers while generating strong earnings outcomes.
Graduates earn a median of $78,257 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 93rd percentile nationally and significantly above the peer median of $63,066. With $15,191 higher earnings than peer institutions, Marquette demonstrates the ability to combine accessible admission with excellent long-term career outcomes.
Marquette University admits 87.4% of applicants, meaning roughly 7 in 8 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places Marquette in the Open Access category, reflecting the institution's commitment to broad educational opportunity.
The peer median admission rate of 70.6% indicates that Marquette is significantly more accessible than typical private nonprofit institutions, admitting 16.8 percentage points more applicants than peer schools. This high acceptance rate creates favorable odds for most qualified applicants, though students should still demonstrate academic preparation appropriate for a selective Catholic research university.
The combination of open admission with strong academic outcomes makes Marquette an attractive option for students seeking quality education without the uncertainty associated with highly competitive admission processes. Applicants should focus on demonstrating fit with Marquette's mission and academic programs rather than worrying about statistical competitiveness.
This accessibility allows students to approach their application with confidence while building comprehensive college lists that include institutions across the selectivity spectrum. Students considering Marquette can typically treat it as a target school rather than a reach, provided their academic credentials align with enrolled student profiles.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Marquette University's published cost of attendance reaches $63,233 annually, comprising $48,700 in tuition, $15,740 for room and board, and $720 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays $29,237 after financial aid, representing $33,996 in savings from the sticker price.
This net price of $29,237 exceeds the peer median by $2,094, indicating higher costs than comparable private nonprofit institutions. The financial aid system provides substantial support, covering 53.8% of published costs on average, though net prices remain elevated relative to similar schools.
Net costs vary significantly by family income, ranging from $18,364 for families earning under $30,000 to $34,465 for families earning over $110,000. The $16,101 gap between lowest and highest income brackets demonstrates progressive aid targeting, though even low-income students face substantial costs.
Marquette's cost structure reflects the premium associated with private Catholic higher education, with aid systems designed to make attendance feasible across income levels while maintaining revenue necessary for program quality and campus operations. Students and families should expect significant financial investment even after aid, particularly compared to public alternatives in Wisconsin and neighboring states.
Marquette graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth over their post-graduation career trajectory. Median earnings increase from $65,241 six years after enrollment to $71,388 at eight years and $78,257 at ten years, representing 19.9% growth from the six-year mark to the ten-year benchmark.
These outcomes reflect data from substantial cohorts of 1,796 graduates at six years, 1,990 at eight years, and 2,211 at ten years, providing high confidence in reported figures. Graduates earn $78,257 at the ten-year mark, ranking at the 93rd percentile nationally and substantially above the peer median of $63,066.
Despite this strong absolute performance, earnings fall $2,752 below expectations when adjusted for student demographics and program mix, placing Marquette around the national average for earnings uplift. Low-income graduates achieve particularly strong outcomes, earning $85,700 annually and ranking in the top 5% nationally.
Approximately 24.6% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education pathways.
Real Estate.
24 graduates
Computer Engineering, General.
16 graduates
Banking and Financial Support Services.
141 graduates
Artificial Intelligence.
114 graduates
Civil Engineering, General.
29 graduates
Marquette University offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with sufficient federal earnings data for comprehensive analysis. Banking and Financial Support Services ranks #38 nationally and #2 in Wisconsin, graduating 141 students with median earnings of $85,623 and a strong value score of 81.9.
Biology ranks #12 nationally and #1 in Wisconsin, producing 200 graduates with median earnings of $66,072 and an exceptional value score of 97.0, making it one of the institution's flagship programs. Artificial Intelligence ranks #128 nationally but maintains strong earnings of $83,528 with 114 graduates annually.
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing graduates 145 students with median earnings of $74,296, ranking #199 nationally but #5 in Wisconsin. Digital Marketing performs well at #36 nationally and #2 in Wisconsin, graduating 111 students with earnings of $73,964 and a value score of 83.9.
Several programs rank #1 in Wisconsin, including Biology, Accounting, Aerospace Physiology and Medicine, and Advertising, demonstrating Marquette's regional leadership across diverse academic fields.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Xavier University Of Louisiana Similar quality tier (#469 ranked) | LA | 74% | $52,184 | #469 | Compare |
California Baptist University Similar quality tier (#471 ranked) | CA | 74% | $61,504 | #471 | Compare |
Unity Environmental University Similar quality tier (#458 ranked) | ME | 82% | $37,852 | #458 | Compare |
National Louis University Similar quality tier in Midwest (#457 ranked) | IL | 93% | $45,799 | #457 | Compare |
Maryville University Of Saint Louis Similar quality tier in Midwest (#455 ranked) | MO | 94% | $62,105 | #455 | Compare |
