Marquette University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Milwaukee, Wisconsin · Private nonprofit · Open access · CDS 2024-2025

Acceptance rate
81%
18,701 applicants
Median SAT
1280
Mid 50: 1220–1350
In-state tuition
$51,170
per year, before aid
Net price (avg)
$31,487
after aid, what families pay
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Quick answer

Marquette University is a private nonprofit university in Milwaukee, Wisconsin that admits about 81% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $31,487 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Biology, General, Finance and Financial Management Services and Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 83% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 8.5 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.

Marquette University is a private institution located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. For the most recent reporting cycle, Marquette University admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 81%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1280 and an ACT composite around 28. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $31,487 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for Marquette University?

68% of enrolled students at Marquette University had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.61, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.

Actual GPA distribution of admitted students
4.00
7.0%
3.75–3.99
32.0%
3.50–3.74
29.0%
3.25–3.49
19.0%
3.00–3.24
10.0%
2.50–2.99
3.0%
From the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Marquette University.

What does Marquette University weight in admissions?

Marquette University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean

Very Important2 factors
  • Rigor of secondary school record
  • Academic GPA
Important4 factors
  • Standardized test scores
  • Application essay
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Volunteer work

SAT and ACT scores Marquette University typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 590–680, with an EBRW midpoint near 635. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 26–31. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.

SAT Composite
25th percentile1220
50th percentile1280
75th percentile1350
% submitting SAT13.59%
ACT Composite
25th percentile26
50th percentile28
75th percentile31
% submitting ACT25.55%
Current testing policy
  • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
  • • Policy detail: Considered if submitted

Where admitted students ranked in their high school class

Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.

Top 10% of class32.4%
Top 25% of class68.37%
Top 50% of class93.62%
% submitting class rank18.24%

How much does Marquette University actually cost?

Published tuition is $51,170 for in-state students and $51,170 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $16,490 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $31,487 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 18% of students receive Pell Grants.

In-state tuition$52,070
Room and board$16,900
Average net price (after aid)$31,487
Application fee$0

Application deadlines and early decision data for Marquette University

Regular admission
Regular deadlineAugust 10
Notification dateDecember 20
Reply deadlineMay 1
Rolling admissionsYes
Early admission
Offers Early ActionYes
EA deadlineNovember 15

Will my child graduate from Marquette University?

These predict outcomes at Marquette University better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates

Freshman retention
91%
returned for sophomore year
4-year graduation
68.55%
finished on time
6-year graduation
83%
finished within 6 years

Most popular majors at Marquette University

The most popular undergraduate programs at Marquette University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Biology, General, Finance and Financial Management Services and Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. Across all programs, Marquette University confers roughly 1,128 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Biology, General program report a median income of about $78,304 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

MajorGraduates / yearMedian earnings (5 yrs out)
Biology, General253$78,304
Finance and Financial Management Services175$101,453
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing164$85,237
Psychology, General130$58,921
Marketing124$81,846
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication100$64,008
Political Science and Government95$70,053
Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences87$66,918
Bachelor's-degree completions from federal IPEDS data; earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Is Marquette University safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Marquette University disclosed 65 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 8.5 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 19 violent offenses and 9 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

Total offenses
65
8.5 per 1,000 students
Violent crime
19
2.48 per 1,000
Sexual assault / VAWA
9
1.17 per 1,000
Burglary
4
reported incidents
Clery Act 2024, rates per 7,660 enrolled.

What is campus life like at Marquette University?

About 57% of undergraduates at Marquette University live in campus housing, making it a largely residential campus. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.

Live on campus
57%
of undergraduates
From the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Marquette University.

Other colleges in Wisconsin parents ask about

Colleges that admit at a similar rate

Next steps for Marquette University

Common questions parents ask about Marquette University

What GPA do I need for Marquette University?

68% of enrolled students at Marquette University had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.61, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.

What SAT or ACT score does Marquette University typically admit?

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 590–680, with an EBRW midpoint near 635. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 26–31.

How much does Marquette University actually cost after financial aid?

The average net price at Marquette University after grants and scholarships is $31,487 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $51,170. Budget against the net figure.

Is Marquette University realistic for my child?

Marquette University admits 81% of applicants, so 590–680 SAT Math is target range and below 590 is a reach. Then check the $31,487 average net price against what your family can carry.

What is the acceptance rate at Marquette University?

Marquette University accepts about 81% of applicants out of roughly 18,701 who apply each year. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.

Is Marquette University test-optional?

Yes. Marquette University is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.

What is the graduation rate at Marquette University?

About 83% of students at Marquette University graduate within six years, and 69% finish in four years. 91% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.

What does Marquette University look for in applicants?

Marquette University rates course rigor and GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.

Is Marquette University a public or private school, and where is it located?

Marquette University is a private nonprofit institution located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

What are the most popular majors at Marquette University?

The largest undergraduate majors at Marquette University by annual graduates are Biology, General, Finance and Financial Management Services and Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. The school awards about 1,128 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.

Is Marquette University safe? What is its campus crime rate?

Marquette University reported 65 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 8.5 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.

What is campus life like at Marquette University?

At Marquette University, 57% of undergraduates live on campus, according to its most recent Common Data Set.

Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Marquette University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers