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.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $66,768 |
| Tuition and Fees | $51,170 |
| Room and Board | $16,490 |
| Books and Supplies | $720 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$35,281 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $31,487 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $22,269 |
| $30–48k | $18,916 |
| $48–75k | $27,378 |
| $75–110k | $32,374 |
| $110k+ | $36,813 |
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.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt is well below typical first-year earnings — generally considered very manageable.
Marquette graduates carry $23,940 in median student debt, nearly identical to the peer median of $24,181, indicating typical borrowing patterns for private nonprofit institutions. Debt levels range from $12,000 at the 25th percentile to $32,000 at the 75th percentile, showing moderate variation in borrowing needs across students.
The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31 indicates manageable debt relative to post-graduation income, with annual earnings of $78,257 providing strong capacity for loan repayment. Parent PLUS borrowing reaches $38,249 median debt with monthly payments of $504, representing substantial family investment beyond student borrowing.
The combination of student and parent debt creates total family borrowing that may exceed $60,000 for typical families, though earnings outcomes support repayment capacity. Debt levels rank around the national average at the 42nd percentile, indicating neither particularly high nor low borrowing relative to all four-year institutions.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Marquette University represents a strong return on educational investment despite elevated costs relative to peer institutions. The combination of $78,257 median earnings ranking at the 93rd percentile nationally and $23,940 median debt creates favorable investment dynamics.
Graduates earn $15,191 more than peer medians while carrying similar debt levels, indicating superior earnings outcomes relative to educational investment. The 92.3rd percentile return index ranking reflects top-tier performance in converting educational costs into career outcomes.
However, the modestly below average affordability ranking at the 13.5th percentile indicates higher costs create barriers for some students despite strong outcomes. Low-income graduates achieve exceptional earnings of $85,700, ranking in the top 5% nationally, suggesting particularly strong returns for students from lower-income backgrounds who can access the institution.
Marquette's financial aid system generates $33,996 in average savings from published costs, though net prices remain above peer medians. The 18.8% Pell share falls below national averages, indicating the institution primarily serves students from families with higher incomes who can afford substantial educational costs even after aid.
Aid targeting creates meaningful cost differences across income levels, with the lowest-income families receiving the most substantial support. The gap between published costs ($63,233) and net price ($29,237) demonstrates significant institutional commitment to affordability, though the elevated peer comparison suggests aid may not fully offset the premium associated with private education.
Financial aid appears concentrated among need-based recipients, with merit aid likely supplementing need-based support for middle-income families. The moderate Pell enrollment suggests aid systems work effectively for lower-income students who do enroll, though affordability barriers may limit access for some economic segments.
