Economics at Marquette University

Marquette economics graduates start behind the curve but experience remarkable catch-up growth, with earnings jumping 47% from year one to year four. That first-year salary of $46,400 lands in just the 29th percentile nationally and 40th percentile among Wisconsin schools, trailing UW-Madison by $8,000 right out of the gate. But by year four, graduates reach $68,340—suggesting strong career trajectory once they gain experience.

The debt load of $23,718 is manageable relative to those initial earnings, with a 0.51 debt-to-income ratio that's reasonable for a private university education. However, the first-year earnings gap compared to Wisconsin's top programs is significant: UW-Oshkosh graduates earn $11,000 more immediately, and even mid-tier state schools outpace Marquette early on. For families paying Marquette's private tuition, that's a meaningful difference in time-to-payoff, especially since many students could access comparable or better programs at lower cost through the UW system.

The strong earnings growth suggests Marquette's alumni network or brand value kicks in after graduation, but you're essentially betting on delayed returns. If your child has admission to a UW campus with better initial outcomes, that's likely a more straightforward path. Marquette makes more sense if they're drawn to the urban Milwaukee environment or need the higher admission rate as a safety, but they should understand they'll be playing catch-up financially during those critical first years after college.