At $29,237/yr net price, Marquette University graduates earn $78,257/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $44,257/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $29,237 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $116,948 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $78,257/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$44,257/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 80.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $23,940 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $18,364/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $18,903/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $24,176/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $30,974/yr |
| $110,001+ | $34,465/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences. | Master | $194,665 | |
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other. | Master | $163,702 | |
| Dentistry. | Doctoral | $130,858 | $229,890 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $105,529 | $125,865 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Doctoral | $105,083 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $98,506 | $38,819 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $88,803 | $61,329 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Doctoral | $87,309 | |
| Construction Engineering. | Bachelor | $73,949 | |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $73,446 | $24,767 |
The Risk Factor
80.1% of students at Marquette University graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
Marquette gives you a solid return with manageable risk. A $78,257 median salary ten years out against $23,940 in median debt means most graduates clear their loans without drowning. The 80% grad rate and 91% retention matter here: you are likely to actually finish, which is where debt goes bad for people at weaker schools.
Engineering is where the money is. Construction and computer engineering both pay in the low $70,000s, and even the lowest-earning engineering track listed, mechanical, clears $65,000. The catch is debt tracks upward with those degrees too, with biomedical engineering graduates carrying nearly $27,000. That is still a reasonable trade against those salaries, but biomedical pays the least of the engineering group while borrowing the most, so run that math before committing to it over computer or electrical.
The financial risk is the sticker price. At roughly $29,000 a year net, this is a private-school bet, and no non-engineering program earnings are listed to confirm those majors pay it back. If you enroll in a lower-earning field here, you are paying private-school prices without the engineering salary to justify them.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $18,000 to $19,000 a year, well below the average. Above $75,000, you pay $31,000 to $34,000, close to full freight. Families in that top bracket should compare Marquette's number against a strong public option before signing.
This school fits you if you are heading into engineering, especially if your family income keeps your net price near $18,000. If you want a lower-paying major and your family earns over $110,000, the numbers are harder to defend, and a cheaper school likely gives you better value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Marquette University worth the high tuition cost?
Marquette's graduates earn $78,257 annually after 10 years, which is solid but not exceptional given the $29,237 annual net cost. The return on investment depends heavily on your major, with dental and business programs offering much stronger earning potential than other fields.
What are the best paying majors at Marquette University?
Dental programs at Marquette lead to the highest earnings, with advanced dentistry graduates earning nearly $195,000 annually. Business majors also perform well at $163,702, while nursing and allied health graduates earn around $105,000.
How much debt do Marquette University students graduate with?
Marquette graduates carry a median debt of $23,940, which is manageable compared to many private universities. This debt level is reasonable for high-earning majors like dentistry and business, but may be challenging for graduates in lower-paying fields.
Does Marquette University provide good financial aid to reduce costs?
Marquette's net price of $29,237 suggests decent financial aid, bringing costs down from the full sticker price. However, this is still expensive for a regional private university, and aid quality varies significantly based on family income and academic merit.