Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Marian University vs Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Indianapolis IN · vs · Private nonprofit, Marion IN

The verdict

Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $91,464 in 7.9 years versus 9.2 years at Marian University, on median earnings of $59,986 vs $58,759 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureMarian UniversityIndiana Wesleyan University-Marion
Net price / yr$24,018$22,866
Total net cost$96,072$91,464
Median earnings, 10 yrs$58,759$59,986
Median debt$27,000$24,250
Payback9.2 yrs7.9 yrs
20-year net return$111,908$141,056

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

Which is cheaper, Marian University or Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion?

Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion, at $22,866 a year after aid versus $24,018 — a gap of $1,152 a year, or $4,608 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Marian University or Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion graduates earn more?

Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion graduates report a median $59,986 ten years after entry, $1,227 more than the $58,759 at Marian University. 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, Marian University or Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion?

Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion: its completers carry a median $24,250 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Marian University, a difference of $2,750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

67% of students finish at Marian University, against 67% at Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion. 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.

Marian University vs Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion: frequently asked questions

Is Marian University or Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion a better value?
Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion. It clears its $91,464 net cost in about 7.9 years versus 9.2 years at Marian University, on median earnings of $59,986 vs $58,759 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Marian University or Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion?
Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion: $22,866/yr net price after aid versus $24,018/yr at Marian University — a difference of $1,152 a year, or about $4,608 over four years.
Do Marian University or Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion graduates earn more?
Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion graduates earn a median $59,986 ten years after entry, versus $58,759 at Marian University — a $1,227 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.