Marquette University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Marquette University charges a net price of $31,487/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $125,948. Graduates earn a median $78,257 ten years after entry, $29,897/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 4.2 years — a 20-year net return of $471,992, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Marquette University's 4.2-year payback ranks #318 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 75% of them, and #3 of 53 in Wisconsin.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $31,487/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $125,948 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $78,257 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $29,897/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $23,940 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 4.2 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $471,992 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Marquette University's own numbers. Net price $31,487 × 4 years = $125,948 total. Median earnings $78,257 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $29,897 a year of premium. $125,948 ÷ $29,897 = 4.2 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $471,992. 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 Marquette University students graduate with?
A median $23,940 in federal loans among completers, or 31% of the $78,257 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Marquette University students graduate?
83% finish their degree. Spread the $125,948 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $151,745 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Marquette University expensive compared with other Wisconsin colleges?
Its $31,487 net price runs $16,294 above the $15,193 median across the 53 Wisconsin colleges we profile, or $65,176 more across the full degree.