Marietta College
Marietta College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Marietta College at a Glance
Marietta College is a private liberal arts college in Marietta, Ohio, United States. Its campus encompasses approximately six city blocks next to downtown Marietta and enrolls 1,109 students.
1835
191 years old
$103M
$102.6 million (2021)
1,109
1,023 undergrad · 86 grad
Identity
Is Marietta College Worth It?
Marietta College offers moderate value at $21,083/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $57,180, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 60% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How Marietta College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in OH
Ranked #26 of 136 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Christian Brothers University | 81 | $9,854 | $57,478 |
| #2 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #3 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #4 | Clarkson College | 57 | $19,241 | $64,876 |
| #5 | Goldey-Beacom College | 56 | $15,554 | $59,892 |
| #6 | Ursuline College | 53 | $16,164 | $56,878 |
| #26 | Marietta College | 41 | $21,083 | $57,180 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Marietta College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 8 in OH.
Best Programs at Marietta College
The highest-earning program at Marietta College is Petroleum Engineering at $64,000/year (4 years after graduation).
Your major matters more than the school name — a Petroleum Engineering graduate from Marietta College earns $64,000, while a Petroleum Engineering graduate earns $64,000. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Petroleum Engineering graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Petroleum Engineering.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $21,083/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petroleum Engineering | $64,000 | $64,000 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in OH
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Marietta, OH
- Student Body
- 952 students
- Admission Rate
- 79%
- Graduation Rate
- 60%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $21,083
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $57,180
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000