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.
A directional estimate — not a prediction
Admitted students at Marquette typically score between 1190 and 1360 on the SAT, with a median of 1306. The middle 50% range breaks down to 590-680 in Math and 600-680 in Verbal, indicating balanced academic preparation across quantitative and communication skills. ACT scores range from 26 to 31 with a median of 28, demonstrating strong academic preparation among enrolled students. These test scores rank among the highest tracked nationally, placing Marquette's academic profile well above typical four-year institutions. The peer median SAT score of 1256 shows that Marquette attracts students with 50 points higher test scores than comparable institutions, indicating the university's ability to combine accessibility with academic selectivity. Students scoring within the 1190-1360 SAT range or 26-31 ACT range are academically competitive for admission and should expect to fit well within the enrolled student population. Students scoring below 1190 SAT or 26 ACT should not assume automatic exclusion, as 25% of enrolled students fall below these thresholds, but they may benefit from demonstrating academic preparation through other measures. The strong academic credentials of enrolled students suggest a rigorous academic environment that challenges students while maintaining the support systems necessary for success. Prospective students should consider whether they are prepared for the academic expectations that come with this high-achieving student population.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
Marquette enrolls 18.8% Pell-eligible students and 19.3% first-generation students, indicating moderate economic and educational diversity within the student body. While these percentages reflect students from lower-income and first-generation backgrounds, they fall below national averages for four-year institutions, suggesting the university primarily serves students from middle- and upper-income families. Transfer students represent 7.8% of enrollment, indicating limited pathways for students beginning their higher education elsewhere. This composition aligns with Marquette's classification as a Selective Achiever institution, where strong outcomes coincide with a student population that has more economic advantages than typical higher education institutions. The moderate diversity percentages suggest that students from various economic backgrounds do find pathways to enrollment, though the majority come from families with higher education experience and financial resources. Geographic diversity draws students from across the Midwest and beyond, though specific regional data is not available in our analysis. First-generation students should know that 19.3% of enrolled students share their background, providing a meaningful peer community for navigating higher education. Students from lower-income families should consider the 18.8% Pell share when assessing institutional fit and support systems. Transfer applicants should note the limited 7.8% transfer enrollment and plan accordingly for competitive transfer admission processes.
With an 87.4% acceptance rate, Marquette is accessible to most qualified applicants. However, students seeking alternatives or building comprehensive college lists can consider these options with similar outcomes.
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Marquette demonstrates strong retention and graduation outcomes that indicate effective student support and academic programming. 91.3% of freshmen return for sophomore year, compared to a peer median of 83.1%, showing 8.2 percentage points higher retention than similar institutions. The six-year graduation rate reaches 80.1%, compared to a peer median of 70%, indicating 10.1 percentage points stronger degree completion than peer institutions. Pell-eligible students graduate at 76.7%, creating a 3.4 percentage point gap below the overall graduation rate. This gap indicates some challenges for lower-income students but remains smaller than gaps observed at many selective institutions. The retention and completion rates suggest that students who enroll at Marquette benefit from institutional systems designed to support degree completion across diverse student populations. Lower-income students should weigh the 3.4 percentage point Pell gap when considering institutional support, though the 76.7% Pell completion rate exceeds many institutional benchmarks. Prospective students should view these retention and graduation rates as indicators of the academic support environment they will experience upon enrollment. Students who gain admission can expect institutional commitment to degree completion, with particularly strong support systems that outperform peer institutions. The combination of high retention and graduation rates suggests effective academic advising, student services, and educational programming that supports student success across the full undergraduate experience.
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