Marian University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Marian University charges a net price of $21,937/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $87,748. Graduates earn a median $53,501 ten years after entry, $5,141/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 17.1 years — a 20-year net return of $15,072, a slow but positive payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Marian University's 17.1-year payback ranks #1,011 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 21% of them, and #25 of 53 in Wisconsin.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $21,937/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $87,748 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $53,501 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $5,141/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $25,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 17.1 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $15,072 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Marian University's own numbers. Net price $21,937 × 4 years = $87,748 total. Median earnings $53,501 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $5,141 a year of premium. $87,748 ÷ $5,141 = 17.1 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $15,072. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Marian University students graduate with?
A median $25,000 in federal loans among completers, or 47% of the $53,501 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Marian University students graduate?
44% finish their degree — 56% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $87,748 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $199,427 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Marian University expensive compared with other Wisconsin colleges?
Its $21,937 net price runs $6,744 above the $15,193 median across the 53 Wisconsin colleges we profile, or $26,976 more across the full degree.