At $8,327/yr net price, Marshall University graduates earn $46,354/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $12,354/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $8,327 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $33,308 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $46,354/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$12,354/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 48.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $23,250 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,820/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,572/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,970/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $12,243/yr |
| $110,001+ | $15,496/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. | Doctoral | $185,138 | $187,960 |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $121,632 | $123,600 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $87,183 | $31,160 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $73,635 | $117,799 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $63,005 | $28,375 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $58,823 | $23,923 |
| Engineering, General. | Bachelor | $57,318 | $26,500 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $57,318 | $25,750 |
| Medicine. | Doctoral | $57,087 | $150,015 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Master | $55,964 | $41,142 |
The Risk Factor
48.7% of students at Marshall 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
Marshall University gives you a low-cost entry with a middling payoff. At $8,327 a year in net price, you carry about $23,250 in median debt when you leave, and ten years out you earn around $46,354. That debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable, but the earnings ceiling is not high, and less than half of students finish within the standard window.
Your major decides everything here. Computer and Information Sciences graduates out-earn the school median by roughly $17,000, and both Engineering and Nursing clear $57,000. Those three are the programs that make the tuition worth it, and Nursing pairs strong pay with the lowest debt of the high earners. Business Economics and Allied Health graduates land near $45,000, close to the campus-wide median, so those degrees pay off your debt without pulling you ahead. In West Virginia's healthcare-heavy job market, Nursing and Allied Health also give you the clearest local hiring path.
The real risk is the 48.7% graduation rate. If you borrow for a degree you don't finish, you owe the debt without the earnings that justify it. The 78.7% retention rate says roughly one in five of you leaves after the first year, so momentum through year one matters.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your household earns under $30,000, you pay $4,820 a year. over $110,000, you pay $15,496, more than triple. Marshall is a strong financial fit if your family income is under $48,000 and you enroll in Computer Science, Engineering, or Nursing. If you're paying the top tier for a lower-earning major, or you're unsure you'll finish, the math gets thin and you should compare other in-state options before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Marshall University worth the cost?
Marshall University offers strong value for students in nursing and pharmacy programs, with nursing graduates earning up to $87,000-$185,000 annually. However, the 49% graduation rate means nearly half of students don't finish their degrees, which significantly hurts return on investment.
What are the highest paying majors at Marshall University?
Nursing programs lead Marshall's earnings potential, with some nursing specializations reaching $185,000 in median earnings. Pharmacy graduates earn around $122,000, while computer science majors average $63,000 annually.
How much debt do Marshall University graduates have?
Marshall graduates carry a median debt of $23,250, which is manageable for nursing and pharmacy majors but may be harder to repay for lower-earning programs. The low net price of $8,327 per year helps keep borrowing down.
What is Marshall University's job placement rate after graduation?
Marshall graduates earn a median of $46,354 ten years after enrollment, below the national average for college graduates. Strong outcomes in health sciences programs are offset by weaker performance in other fields and the low graduation rate.