Marquette University vs. Purdue

Deciding between Marquette University and Purdue University Main Campus? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Marquette University
Purdue University Main Campus

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • Marquette University Milwaukee, WI
  • Purdue West Lafayette, IN
  • Setting
  • Marquette University Large City
  • Purdue Midsize Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Marquette University 11,746
  • Purdue 58,658
  • Type
  • Marquette University Private 4 Year
  • Purdue Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Marquette University #221
  • Purdue #102
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Marquette University Roman Catholic
  • Purdue -
  • Status
  • Marquette University Non-profit
  • Purdue Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Marquette University
  • Purdue

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Marquette University $51,170
  • Purdue $9,992
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Marquette University $51,170
  • Purdue $28,794
  • Room & Board
  • Marquette University $16,490
  • Purdue $12,820
  • Average Net Price
  • Marquette University $34,322
  • Purdue $13,722
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Marquette University $32,996
  • Purdue $11,294
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Marquette University 100%
  • Purdue 40%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Marquette University 18,701
  • Purdue 78,745
  • Admitted
  • Marquette University 15,212
  • Purdue 39,272
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Marquette University 81.3%
  • Purdue 49.9%
  • Enrolled
  • Marquette University 14.1%
  • Purdue 29.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Marquette University 1280
  • Purdue 1340
  • Typical ACT score
  • Marquette University 28
  • Purdue 30
  • Average High School GPA
  • Marquette University 3.56
  • Purdue 3.67
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Marquette University A-
  • Purdue A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Marquette University Difficult
  • Purdue Exceptional
  • Applicant Competition
  • Marquette University
  • Purdue Low
  • ACT Range
  • Marquette University 26/31
  • Purdue 27/34
  • SAT Range
  • Marquette University 1200/1360
  • Purdue 1200/1480
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Marquette University Test optional
  • Purdue Required
  • Application Deadline
  • Marquette University Dec 1, 2026
  • Purdue

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Marquette University 14:1
  • Purdue 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Marquette University
    • Business (27%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Engineering (9%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Purdue
    • Engineering (18%)
    • Business (18%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Education (6%)
    • Work and Family Studies (6%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Marquette University 81%
  • Purdue 68%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Marquette University $67,500
  • Purdue $61,200
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Marquette University 81%
  • Purdue 78%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Marquette University $27,000
  • Purdue $21,500
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Marquette University $279
  • Purdue $222

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Marquette University 42%
  • Purdue 59%
  • % Women
  • Marquette University 58%
  • Purdue 41%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Marquette University Medium
  • Purdue Medium
  • HBCU
  • Marquette University No
  • Purdue No
  • % White
  • Marquette University 73%
  • Purdue 65%
  • % Asian
  • Marquette University 6%
  • Purdue 6%
  • % Black
  • Marquette University 4%
  • Purdue 3%
  • % Hispanic
  • Marquette University 10%
  • Purdue 4%
  • % Native American
  • Marquette University 0%
  • Purdue 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Marquette University 0%
  • Purdue 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Marquette University 4%
  • Purdue 2%
  • % International
  • Marquette University 4%
  • Purdue 17%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Marquette University 0%
  • Purdue 2%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Marquette University 35%
  • Purdue 41%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Marquette University 64%
  • Purdue 47%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Marquette University Yes
  • Purdue Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Marquette University No
  • Purdue No
  • Meal Plan
  • Marquette University Yes
  • Purdue Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Marquette University Yes
  • Purdue No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Marquette University Yes
  • Purdue Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI with Purdue University Main Campus in West Lafayette, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Purdue University Main Campus is larger than Marquette University based on total student enrollment (58,658 students vs. 11,746 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Marquette University is located in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting); Purdue University Main Campus is in West Lafayette, IN (Midsize Suburban setting).
  • Marquette University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Purdue University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Marquette University 14:1; Purdue University Main Campus 14:1.

Marquette University vs. Purdue Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Marquette University or Purdue? 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 Purdue University Main Campus than Marquette University ($13,722 vs. $34,322).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Purdue University Main Campus are 22.3% lower than at Marquette University ($12,820 vs. $16,490).
  • Marquette University is 412.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purdue (about $41,178 more per year; $51,170.00 vs. $9,992.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 77.7% higher at Marquette University than at Purdue University Main Campus (about $22,376 more per year; $51,170.00 vs. $28,794.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Marquette University than at Purdue University Main Campus (100% vs. 40%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Marquette University students is 192.2% larger than aid received by Purdue University Main Campus students ($32,996 vs. $11,294).

Marquette University vs. Purdue Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Marquette University or Purdue? 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 Purdue and Marquette University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Purdue University Main Campus (1340) is 60 points higher than at Marquette University (1280).
  • Incoming Purdue students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at Marquette University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Marquette University 1200/1360; Purdue University Main Campus 1200/1480.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Marquette University 26/31; Purdue University Main Campus 27/34.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Marquette University - Test optional; Purdue - Required.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Marquette University Dec 1, 2026.
  • Accepted freshman Purdue students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Marquette University (3.56).
  • Marquette University has a higher acceptance rate (81.3%) than Purdue (49.9%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at Marquette University vs. 29.2% at Purdue.

Marquette University vs. Purdue Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Marquette University and Purdue? 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).

  • Marquette University's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than Purdue University Main Campus's (68%).
  • Graduates from Marquette University earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than Purdue graduates about ten years after starting college ($67,500 vs. $61,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Purdue University Main Campus graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Marquette University graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Purdue graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Marquette University graduates ($222 vs. $279).
  • More Marquette University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purdue students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 78%)

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.