Marian vs. CUW

Comparable Facts

Compare Marian University in Indianapolis, IN with Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Concordia University Wisconsin is larger than Marian based on total student enrollment (5,253 students vs. 3,486 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Marian University is located in Indianapolis, IN (Large City setting); Concordia University Wisconsin is in Mequon, WI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Marian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Concordia University Wisconsin is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Marian University 13:1; Concordia University Wisconsin 11:1.

Marian vs. CUW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Marian or CUW? 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 CUW ($22,786 vs. $31,916).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Concordia University Wisconsin are 4.7% lower than at Marian University ($13,200 vs. $13,850).
• Marian University is 14.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than CUW (about $5,194 more per year; $40,664.00 vs. $35,470.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.6% higher at Marian than at Concordia University Wisconsin (about $5,194 more per year; $40,664.00 vs. $35,470.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Concordia University Wisconsin than at Marian University (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Marian University students is 51.3% larger than aid received by Concordia University Wisconsin students ($32,351 vs. $21,379).

Marian vs. CUW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Marian or CUW? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between CUW and Marian.

• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresConcordia University Wisconsin 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Marian - Test-free; CUW - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Marian Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Marian students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at CUW (3.52).
• Marian has a higher acceptance rate (95.5%) than CUW (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at Marian vs. 14.1% at CUW.

Marian vs. CUW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Marian and CUW? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• The graduation rate at Marian is the same as at Concordia University Wisconsin (58% vs. 58%).
• Graduates from Concordia University Wisconsin earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than Marian graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,100 vs. $44,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Concordia University Wisconsin graduates have a $3,075 lower median loan debt than Marian graduates ($23,925 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, CUW graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Marian graduates ($247 vs. $279).
• More Marian graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CUW students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 52%)

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.