Denison University vs Marietta College: which has better ROI?
Denison University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $160,028 in 8.3 years versus 9.6 years at Marietta College, on median earnings of $67,753 vs $57,180 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Denison University | Marietta College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $40,007 | $21,083 |
| Total net cost | $160,028 | $84,332 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $67,753 | $57,180 |
| Median debt | $26,000 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 8.3 yrs | 9.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $227,832 | $92,068 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Denison University or Marietta College?
Marietta College, at $21,083 a year after aid versus $40,007 — a gap of $18,924 a year, or $75,696 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Denison University or Marietta College graduates earn more?
Denison University graduates report a median $67,753 ten years after entry, $10,573 more than the $57,180 at Marietta College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Denison University or Marietta College?
Denison University: its completers carry a median $26,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Marietta College, a difference of $1,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
79% of students finish at Denison University, against 61% at Marietta College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.