Marshall University vs. Watkins Institute

Should I go to Marshall University or Watkins College of Art Design & Film? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Marshall University or Watkins Institute is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Marshall University vs. Watkins College of Art Design & Film comparison
Marshall University Watkins College of Art Design & Film College 3 College 4
Marshall University
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Overview

Marshall University Watkins Institute
Location Huntington, WV Nashville, TN
Setting Small City Large City
Enrollment 11,027 193
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #825
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website marshall.edu watkins.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Marshall University Watkins Institute
Tuition (In State) $7,372 $22,800
Tuition (Out of State) $18,724 $22,800
Room & Board $12,852 $11,000
Avg Net Price $9,734 -
Avg Grant Aid $12,024 $0
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 0%

Admission

Marshall University Watkins Institute
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,499 -
Admitted 6,269 -
Acceptance Rate 96.5%
Enrolled % 27.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.68 3.33
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24
SAT Range 890/1130
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 10, 2026

Academics

Marshall University Watkins Institute
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 7:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (16%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (100%)

Outcomes

Marshall University Watkins Institute
Graduation Rate 44% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,200 $38,700
Making Student Loan Payments 43% 47%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,134 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $239 $279

Diversity

Marshall University Watkins Institute
% Men 9% 37%
% Women 17% 63%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 84% 69%
% Black 7% 15%
% Hispanic 2% 8%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 1% 0%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

Marshall University Watkins Institute
% In-State 78% 72%
% Out-of-State 22% 24%

Campus

Marshall University Watkins Institute
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes No
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Marshall University is larger than than Watkins Institute based on total student enrollment (11,027 students vs. 193 students)

Marshall University vs. Watkins Institute Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Marshall University or Watkins Institute?

  • Watkins College of Art Design & Film is 209.3% more expensive to attend than Marshall University for in-state tuition ($22,800.00 vs. $7,372.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 21.8% higher at Watkins Institute than Marshall University ($22,800.00 vs. $18,724.00)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Watkins College of Art Design & Film are 16.8% lower than costs at Marshall University ($11,000 vs. $12,852)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Marshall University than Watkins College of Art Design & Film (96% vs. 0%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Marshall University students is ?% larger than aid received Watkins College of Art Design & Film ($12,024 vs. $0)

Which college is harder to get into, Marshall University or Watkins Institute? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Watkins Institute or Marshall University .

  • The average SAT score at Marshall University (1028) is 25 points higher than at Watkins Institute (1003)
  • Incoming Marshall University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Watkins Institute (21)
  • Accepted freshman Marshall University students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Watkins Institute (3.33)

Marshall University vs. Watkins Institute Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Marshall University or Watkins Institute? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Watkins Institute and Marshall University.

  • The graduation rate at Marshall University is higher than Watkins College of Art Design & Film (44% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Marshall University earn on average $1,500 more per year than Watkins Institute graduates after ten years. ($40,200 vs. $38,700)
  • Marshall University students graduate with a $3,866 lower median federal student loan debt than Watkins Institute graduates. ($23,134 vs. $27,000)
  • Marshall University graduates are paying $40 less per month on federal student loans than Watkins Institute graduates. ($239 vs. $279)
  • More Watkins Institute graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Marshall University students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 43%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/