At $23,341/yr net price, Marian University graduates earn $53,501/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $19,501/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $23,341 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $93,364 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $53,501/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$19,501/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 41.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $24,155/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $21,978/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $20,296/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,839/yr |
| $110,001+ | $24,866/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $104,510 | $42,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $88,198 | |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Certificate | $73,635 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $59,320 | $21,141 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Certificate | $54,644 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Bachelor | $48,432 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $42,235 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $40,461 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $39,369 | |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $34,420 | $25,000 |
The Risk Factor
41.2% of students at Marian University graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Marian University's financial picture is mixed and leans risky. You'll pay around $23,000 a year net, walk out with $25,000 in median debt, and the typical graduate earns about $53,500 after ten years. That earnings figure is respectable, but only 41% of students graduate and just 62% return for a second year. If you leave without a degree, you keep the debt and lose the earnings payoff.
Nursing is where the money is. At roughly $59,000 a year with the lowest program debt on the list, it's the clearest reason to enroll here, and it fits Wisconsin's steady demand for registered nurses. Allied health follows at a distance. Everything else pays weakly. Business, teacher education, and criminal justice all land in the $39,000 to $42,000 range, meaning you could carry $25,000 in debt against a starting salary that barely clears it. Teaching and corrections are known low-pay fields, and Marian's numbers confirm that here.
The specific risk is the retention and graduation math. Nearly four in ten students don't come back after year one, and most who start don't finish. Debt without a degree is the worst outcome, and it's a real possibility at this school.
The net price barely moves with income. Families under $30,000 pay about $24,000, and families over $110,000 pay about $24,900 , a difference of under $1,000. The middle brackets, $48,000 to $75,000, get the best deal near $20,300. Low-income families get little relief here, so if you're in the bottom bracket, compare this against public options carefully.
Marian is a good fit if you're committed to nursing and confident you'll graduate. If you're aiming at teaching, business, or criminal justice, the debt outpaces the payoff, and a cheaper public school makes more financial sense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Marian University worth the cost?
Marian University's value depends heavily on your major - nursing graduates earn strong salaries around $60,000-$104,000, but the overall 10-year median earnings of $53,501 barely justify the $23,341 annual cost. The 41% graduation rate means most students don't finish their degrees.
What are the best paying majors at Marian University?
Nursing programs offer the strongest ROI at Marian University, with some specializations earning over $100,000 annually. Business administration graduates average $88,198, while education majors typically earn $54,000-$73,000.
How much debt do Marian University graduates have?
Marian University graduates carry a median debt of $25,000, which is manageable for nursing majors but problematic for lower-earning programs. Education majors earning $54,644 may struggle with loan payments relative to their income.
Should I attend Marian University if I'm not studying nursing?
Consider other options if you're not pursuing nursing or business at Marian University. The low graduation rate and modest earnings for most programs make the investment risky, especially given the annual cost of over $23,000.