Gustavus Adolphus College vs. Marian University

Comparable Facts

Compare Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, MN with Marian University in Fond Du Lac, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Gustavus Adolphus College is larger than Marian University based on total student enrollment (1,906 students vs. 1,246 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gustavus Adolphus College is located in Saint Peter, MN (Remote Town setting); Marian University is in Fond Du Lac, WI (Small City setting).
• Gustavus Adolphus College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Marian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gustavus Adolphus College 12:1; Marian University 11:1.

Gustavus Adolphus College vs. Marian University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Gustavus Adolphus College or Marian University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Marian University than Gustavus Adolphus College ($22,697 vs. $26,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Marian University are 16.6% lower than at Gustavus Adolphus College ($9,849 vs. $11,804).
• Gustavus Adolphus College is 59.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Marian University (about $20,898 more per year; $56,076.00 vs. $35,178.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59.4% higher at Gustavus Adolphus College than at Marian University (about $20,898 more per year; $56,076.00 vs. $35,178.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Gustavus Adolphus College as at Marian University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Gustavus Adolphus College students is 90.1% larger than aid received by Marian University students ($41,450 vs. $21,805).

Gustavus Adolphus College vs. Marian University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Gustavus Adolphus College or Marian University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Marian University and Gustavus Adolphus College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMarian University 800/1080.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMarian University 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Gustavus Adolphus College - Test optional; Marian University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Gustavus Adolphus College Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Gustavus Adolphus College students have a 0.53 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Marian University (3.16).
• Marian University has a higher acceptance rate (75%) than Gustavus Adolphus College (61%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.2% at Gustavus Adolphus College vs. 18% at Marian University.

Gustavus Adolphus College vs. Marian University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Gustavus Adolphus College and Marian University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Gustavus Adolphus College's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Marian University's (52%).
• Graduates from Gustavus Adolphus College earn a median of about $12,800 more per year than Marian University graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $43,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Marian University and Gustavus Adolphus College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Marian University and Gustavus Adolphus College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Gustavus Adolphus College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Marian University students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 63%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.