At $18,372/yr net price, Marietta College graduates earn $57,180/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $23,180/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $18,372 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $73,488 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $57,180/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$23,180/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 58.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $14,987/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $14,731/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $16,626/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,834/yr |
| $110,001+ | $25,625/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $109,763 | $99,204 |
| Petroleum Engineering. | Bachelor | $71,575 | $27,000 |
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $36,134 | |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. | Bachelor | $35,416 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $34,526 | |
| Journalism. | Bachelor | $29,685 |
The Risk Factor
58.1% of students at Marietta College 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
Marietta College delivers mixed financial returns that depend heavily on your major choice. The petroleum engineering program offers strong earning potential in Ohio's energy sector, while allied health graduates command six-figure salaries despite carrying substantial debt loads.
Your program selection makes or breaks the financial equation here. Petroleum engineering and allied health programs justify the investment, but marketing, public relations, and education majors face challenging economics with starting salaries in the mid-30s against nearly $30,000 in typical debt.
The 58% graduation rate presents a significant financial risk. If you don't finish, you carry debt without the degree needed to access higher-paying positions. The 73% retention rate suggests academic or social fit issues that could derail your investment.
Marietta works financially if you pursue petroleum engineering or allied health and feel confident you'll graduate. The college serves Ohio's regional job market well in these technical fields. You should look elsewhere if you plan to study liberal arts, business, or education, where the earning potential doesn't support the debt load.
Financial aid reaches only 27% of students, suggesting limited need-based support. Merit scholarships may be available but aren't widely distributed. Your best cost strategy involves graduating quickly in a high-earning major, as the regional job market won't support heavy debt loads for most other programs.
The school makes sense for career-focused students who know they want petroleum engineering or allied health and can handle the academic demands. Liberal arts students seeking broader career flexibility will find better financial prospects at lower-cost state schools or higher-earning private colleges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Marietta College worth the cost?
Marietta College's ROI depends heavily on your major. Allied health and petroleum engineering graduates earn well above the school average, but most other programs lead to below-average starting salaries relative to the debt load.
What is the financial aid like at Marietta College?
The net price averages $18,372 annually, which is reasonable for a private college. However, graduates still carry a median debt of $27,000, and many programs don't generate enough income to justify even this reduced cost.
Which Marietta College programs have the best ROI?
Allied health diagnostic programs offer the strongest return at $109,763 median earnings, followed by petroleum engineering at $71,575. Most other majors, including marketing and education, produce earnings below $40,000.
How risky is taking on debt for Marietta College?
With a 58% graduation rate and median earnings of $57,180, debt risk is moderate to high for most students. Only pursue this investment if you're entering allied health or petroleum engineering programs.