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John Carroll University vs Marietta College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, University Heights OH · vs · Private nonprofit, Marietta OH

The verdict

John Carroll University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $114,984 in 7.9 years versus 9.6 years at Marietta College, on median earnings of $62,860 vs $57,180 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureJohn Carroll UniversityMarietta College
Net price / yr$28,746$21,083
Total net cost$114,984$84,332
Median earnings, 10 yrs$62,860$57,180
Median debt$26,000$27,000
Payback7.9 yrs9.6 yrs
20-year net return$175,016$92,068

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, John Carroll University or Marietta College?

Marietta College, at $21,083 a year after aid versus $28,746 — a gap of $7,663 a year, or $30,652 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do John Carroll University or Marietta College graduates earn more?

John Carroll University graduates report a median $62,860 ten years after entry, $5,680 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, John Carroll University or Marietta College?

John Carroll 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 John Carroll 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.

John Carroll University vs Marietta College: frequently asked questions

Is John Carroll University or Marietta College a better value?
John Carroll University. It clears its $114,984 net cost in about 7.9 years versus 9.6 years at Marietta College, on median earnings of $62,860 vs $57,180 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, John Carroll University or Marietta College?
Marietta College: $21,083/yr net price after aid versus $28,746/yr at John Carroll University — a difference of $7,663 a year, or about $30,652 over four years.
Do John Carroll University or Marietta College graduates earn more?
John Carroll University graduates earn a median $62,860 ten years after entry, versus $57,180 at Marietta College — a $5,680 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.