Degree Dividend
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Xavier University vs Marietta College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Cincinnati OH · vs · Private nonprofit, Marietta OH

The verdict

Xavier University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $131,988 in 8 years versus 9.6 years at Marietta College, on median earnings of $64,873 vs $57,180 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureXavier UniversityMarietta College
Net price / yr$32,997$21,083
Total net cost$131,988$84,332
Median earnings, 10 yrs$64,873$57,180
Median debt$23,250$27,000
Payback8 yrs9.6 yrs
20-year net return$198,272$92,068

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

Which is cheaper, Xavier University or Marietta College?

Marietta College, at $21,083 a year after aid versus $32,997 — a gap of $11,914 a year, or $47,656 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Xavier University or Marietta College graduates earn more?

Xavier University graduates report a median $64,873 ten years after entry, $7,693 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, Xavier University or Marietta College?

Xavier University: its completers carry a median $23,250 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Marietta College, a difference of $3,750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

69% of students finish at Xavier 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.

Xavier University vs Marietta College: frequently asked questions

Is Xavier University or Marietta College a better value?
Xavier University. It clears its $131,988 net cost in about 8 years versus 9.6 years at Marietta College, on median earnings of $64,873 vs $57,180 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Xavier University or Marietta College?
Marietta College: $21,083/yr net price after aid versus $32,997/yr at Xavier University — a difference of $11,914 a year, or about $47,656 over four years.
Do Xavier University or Marietta College graduates earn more?
Xavier University graduates earn a median $64,873 ten years after entry, versus $57,180 at Marietta College — a $7,693 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.