Management Information Systems and Services at Marquette University

Marquette's MIS program appears to track right at the Wisconsin median—peer programs across the state suggest first-year earnings around $61,500—but carries somewhat higher debt than you'd find elsewhere in Wisconsin. While the estimated $26,600 borrowed sits above the state median of $23,750 for this degree, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43 remains manageable, meaning graduates would owe less than half their first year's salary.

The real question is value relative to Wisconsin's public alternatives. UW-Madison MIS graduates earn over $73,000 their first year out, and several other UW system schools produce outcomes in the $60-65K range with lower debt loads. Marquette's 87% admission rate and relatively modest SAT average suggest it's accessible to a broader range of students than Madison, but that accessibility comes with a price premium—both in tuition (reflected in that higher debt) and potentially in career placement strength.

For a family comfortable with mid-$20K in debt and prioritizing Marquette's location or culture over pure ROI, the numbers work. But if cost is a primary concern, comparable programs at UW-Eau Claire or UW-Oshkosh deliver similar estimated earnings with lighter debt burdens. The decision hinges on whether Marquette's specific advantages justify paying more for what appears to be a middle-of-the-pack outcome in Wisconsin's MIS landscape.