University of Wisconsin-Madison vs Marquette University: which has better ROI?
University of Wisconsin-Madison has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $69,416 in 2.7 years versus 4.2 years at Marquette University, on median earnings of $73,792 vs $78,257 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Wisconsin-Madison | Marquette University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,354 | $31,487 |
| Total net cost | $69,416 | $125,948 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $73,792 | $78,257 |
| Median debt | $20,484 | $23,940 |
| Payback | 2.7 yrs | 4.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $439,224 | $471,992 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Wisconsin-Madison or Marquette University?
University of Wisconsin-Madison, at $17,354 a year after aid versus $31,487 — a gap of $14,133 a year, or $56,532 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of Wisconsin-Madison or Marquette University graduates earn more?
Marquette University graduates report a median $78,257 ten years after entry, $4,465 more than the $73,792 at University of Wisconsin-Madison. 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, University of Wisconsin-Madison or Marquette University?
University of Wisconsin-Madison: its completers carry a median $20,484 in federal loans versus $23,940 at Marquette University, a difference of $3,456. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
90% of students finish at University of Wisconsin-Madison, against 83% at Marquette 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.