Business/Managerial Economics at Marquette University

Marquette's business economics program sits right at the national median for starting salaries ($53,345 vs. $53,219 nationally), but trails slightly behind Wisconsin's state median of $53,728—landing in the 40th percentile among the three Wisconsin schools offering this degree. That positioning matters less than what happens next: graduates see robust 42% earnings growth by year four, reaching $75,524. The $24,500 debt load translates to a manageable 0.46 debt-to-earnings ratio, lower than most business programs nationwide.

The catch? These figures come from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes could vary significantly from these medians. What we can say is that the mid-$50s starting point is unremarkable for business economics graduates, whether you compare locally or nationally. The stronger four-year earnings suggest the degree opens doors to advancement, though without knowing specific career paths, it's hard to assess whether that growth reflects the Marquette credential specifically or simply standard business career progression.

For parents weighing the investment, the debt level won't be crushing, and Marquette's relatively high admission rate (87%) means access isn't the issue. The real question is whether paying private school tuition makes sense when outcomes mirror what you'd see at the typical public alternative. If your student has specific reasons to choose Marquette—location, network, campus fit—the numbers won't stand in the way. But purely from an ROI perspective, this isn't the program you'd pick first in Wisconsin.