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

Milwaukee, Wisconsin · Private nonprofit · Open access · CDS 2025-2026

Admission at a glance

Common Data Set 2025-2026

  • Test-optional
  • Early Action
20,002
Applicants
15,606
Admitted78%
1,913
Enrolled
12%
Yield rate

Selectivity

Open access78% admitted
AccessibleHighly selective
Median SAT
1300
Mid 50: 1230–1360
In-state tuition
$53,890
per year, before aid (CDS 2025-2026)
Net price (avg)
$31,487
after aid, what families pay

Ranked #90 (tie) in National Universities; Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs #119 (tie), Business Programs #101 (tie), Computer Science #155 (tie), Nursing #36 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027

Admission figures come from the 2025-2026 Common Data Set published by Marquette University (see the source), read on 2026-09-16.

Is Marquette University a reach, target or safety for your student?

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Quick answer

Marquette University is a private nonprofit university in Milwaukee, Wisconsin that admits about 78% 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 79% 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 78%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1300 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 3.6, according to its 2025-2026 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
18.0%
3.00–3.24
10.0%
2.50–2.99
4.0%
From the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Marquette University.

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What does Marquette University weight in admissions?

Marquette University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean

Very Important

2
  • Rigor of secondary school record
  • Academic GPA

Important

4
  • Standardized test scores
  • Application essay
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Volunteer work

Considered

7
  • Class rank
  • Recommendations
  • Interview
  • Talent/ability
  • Character/personal qualities
  • First generation status
  • Work experience

Not Considered

5
  • Alumni/ae relation
  • Geographical residence
  • State residency
  • Religious affiliation/commitment
  • Level of applicant's interest

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. A score at or above this school's 75th percentile materially improves your child's odds, particularly when paired with a rigorous course load.

SAT Composite
25th percentile1230
50th percentile1300
75th percentile1360
% submitting SAT15%
ACT Composite
25th percentile26
50th percentile28
75th percentile30
% submitting ACT26%
Current testing policy
  • • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
  • • Test-optional for domestic and international applicants; no penalty for not submitting.
  • • Checked for Fall 2027 applicants on Marquette University's admissions site. Policies change; confirm before you apply.

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 class28%
Top 25% of class64%
Top 50% of class95%
% submitting class rank24%

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, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 18% of students receive Pell Grants.

In-state tuition$53,890
Room and board$17,480
Average net price (after aid)$31,487
Share of financial need metaverage, for students with need86%
Average need-based grant$37,500
Average merit award, no financial need782 first-year students received one$29,284
Graduates who borrowed60%
Average debt at graduationamong those who borrowed$34,571
Financial aid formsFAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list
Application fee$0

Application deadlines and early decision data for Marquette University

Regular admission
Regular deadline8/10
Notification date12/20
Reply deadline5/1
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
93%
returned for sophomore year
4-year graduation
68.03%
finished on time
6-year graduation
79%
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
Classes under 20 students
37%
of course sections
Classes of 100 or more
3%
of course sections
From the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Marquette University.

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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 3.6, according to its 2025-2026 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 78% 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 78% of applicants out of roughly 20,002 who apply each year. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.

Is Marquette University test-optional?

Yes. Marquette University is test-optional for Fall 2027 applicants, 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 79% of students at Marquette University graduate within six years, and 68% finish in four years. 93% 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 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Marquette University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers