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Ohio Wesleyan University vs Marietta College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Delaware OH · vs · Private nonprofit, Marietta OH

The verdict

Marietta College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $84,332 in 9.6 years versus 11.5 years at Ohio Wesleyan University, on median earnings of $57,180 vs $55,624 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureOhio Wesleyan UniversityMarietta College
Net price / yr$20,897$21,083
Total net cost$83,588$84,332
Median earnings, 10 yrs$55,624$57,180
Median debt$27,000$27,000
Payback11.5 yrs9.6 yrs
20-year net return$61,692$92,068

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

Which is cheaper, Ohio Wesleyan University or Marietta College?

Ohio Wesleyan University, at $20,897 a year after aid versus $21,083 — a gap of $186 a year, or $744 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Ohio Wesleyan University or Marietta College graduates earn more?

Marietta College graduates report a median $57,180 ten years after entry, $1,556 more than the $55,624 at Ohio Wesleyan 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, Ohio Wesleyan University or Marietta College?

Completers at both borrow a median $27,000, so neither school has the debt advantage. That figure covers federal loans of students who finished — borrowers who leave early are not counted, and private loans sit outside it.

Which graduates more of its students?

61% of students finish at Marietta College, against 59% at Ohio Wesleyan University. 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.

Ohio Wesleyan University vs Marietta College: frequently asked questions

Is Ohio Wesleyan University or Marietta College a better value?
Marietta College. It clears its $84,332 net cost in about 9.6 years versus 11.5 years at Ohio Wesleyan University, on median earnings of $57,180 vs $55,624 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Ohio Wesleyan University or Marietta College?
Ohio Wesleyan University: $20,897/yr net price after aid versus $21,083/yr at Marietta College — a difference of $186 a year, or about $744 over four years.
Do Ohio Wesleyan University or Marietta College graduates earn more?
Marietta College graduates earn a median $57,180 ten years after entry, versus $55,624 at Ohio Wesleyan University — a $1,556 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.