Marshall University
Marshall University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Marshall University at a Glance
Marshall University is a public research university in Huntington, West Virginia, United States. It was founded in 1837 and is named after John Marshall, the fourth chief justice of the United States. The university is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity".
1837
189 years old
$233M
$232.85 million (2025)
13,239
9,975 undergrad · 2,704 grad
806
100 acres
Identity
Is Marshall University Worth It?
Marshall University delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $7,502/year, it's priced 63% below average, while graduates go on to earn $46,354 — near the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.6 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 50% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 96% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
With median debt of $23,250 representing 50% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: Marshall University delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How Marshall University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #18 of 174 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 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #2 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #3 | Henry Ford College | 100 | $660 | $34,795 |
| #4 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #5 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #6 | Pensacola State College | 91 | $3,957 | $36,739 |
| #18 | Marshall University | 77 | $7,502 | $46,354 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Marshall University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Marshall University
The highest-earning program at Marshall University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $56,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Fine and Studio Arts at $17,800/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Marshall University earns $56,100, while a Fine and Studio Arts graduate earns $17,800. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $25,334 in median debt vs. $22,705 for Fine and Studio Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $7,502/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $56,100 | $56,100 | $25,334 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $43,800 | $43,800 | $29,261 |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $36,900 | $36,900 | $20,802 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $35,000 | $35,000 | $20,540 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $34,300 | $34,300 | $21,666 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $31,400 | $31,400 | $26,150 |
| Marketing | $29,600 | $29,600 | $26,879 |
| Journalism | $29,000 | $29,000 | $25,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $28,200 | $28,200 | $21,500 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $26,500 | $26,500 | $24,250 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $23,100 | $23,100 | $25,250 |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | $22,900 | $22,900 | $21,487 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $22,100 | $22,100 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $21,800 | $21,800 | $25,071 |
| Psychology, General | $19,100 | $19,100 | $24,244 |
| Biology, General | $18,800 | $18,800 | $23,591 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $17,800 | $17,800 | $22,705 |
Similar Colleges in WV
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Huntington, WV
- Student Body
- 7,266 students
- Admission Rate
- 96%
- Graduation Rate
- 50%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $7,502
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $46,354
- Median Student Debt
- $23,250