Marshall University vs. WVU

Deciding between Marshall University and West Virginia University? 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.

Marshall University
West Virginia University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Marshall University Huntington, WV
  • WVU Morgantown, WV
  • Setting
  • Marshall University Small City
  • WVU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Marshall University 11,958
  • WVU 23,643
  • Type
  • Marshall University Public 4 Year
  • WVU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Marshall University #868
  • WVU #566
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Marshall University -
  • WVU -
  • Status
  • Marshall University Non-profit
  • WVU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Marshall University
  • WVU
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Marshall University $9,162
  • WVU $10,104
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Marshall University $20,342
  • WVU $28,608
  • Room & Board
  • Marshall University $13,292
  • WVU $14,582
  • Average Net Price
  • Marshall University $8,076
  • WVU $15,169
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Marshall University $13,448
  • WVU $12,363
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Marshall University 97%
  • WVU 94%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Marshall University 6,816
  • WVU 18,729
  • Admitted
  • Marshall University 6,525
  • WVU 16,669
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Marshall University 95.7%
  • WVU 89%
  • Enrolled
  • Marshall University 28.1%
  • WVU 24.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Marshall University 1030
  • WVU 1120
  • Typical ACT score
  • Marshall University 21
  • WVU 23
  • Average High School GPA
  • Marshall University 3.68
  • WVU 3.45
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Marshall University A-
  • WVU B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Marshall University Very Easy
  • WVU Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • Marshall University
  • WVU
  • ACT Range
  • Marshall University 19/24
  • WVU 20/26
  • SAT Range
  • Marshall University 910/1150
  • WVU 1010/1220
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Marshall University Test optional
  • WVU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Marshall University Aug 10, 2027
  • WVU
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Marshall University 16:1
  • WVU 19:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Marshall University
    • Health Professions (17%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (16%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • WVU
    • Business (12%)
    • Engineering (11%)
    • General Studies (10%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Marshall University 44%
  • WVU 57%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Marshall University $40,200
  • WVU $50,600
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Marshall University 43%
  • WVU 59%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Marshall University $23,134
  • WVU $24,001
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Marshall University $239
  • WVU $248
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Marshall University 41%
  • WVU 47%
  • % Women
  • Marshall University 59%
  • WVU 53%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Marshall University Very Low
  • WVU Low
  • HBCU
  • Marshall University No
  • WVU No
  • % White
  • Marshall University 84%
  • WVU 81%
  • % Asian
  • Marshall University 1%
  • WVU 1%
  • % Black
  • Marshall University 7%
  • WVU 5%
  • % Hispanic
  • Marshall University 2%
  • WVU 4%
  • % Native American
  • Marshall University 0%
  • WVU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Marshall University 0%
  • WVU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Marshall University 3%
  • WVU 3%
  • % International
  • Marshall University 1%
  • WVU 6%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Marshall University 1%
  • WVU 0%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Marshall University 76%
  • WVU 41%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Marshall University 23%
  • WVU 58%
  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Marshall University in Huntington, WV with West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

West Virginia University is larger than Marshall University based on total student enrollment (23,643 students vs. 11,958 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Marshall University is located in Huntington, WV (Small City setting); West Virginia University is in Morgantown, WV (Small City setting).
  • Marshall University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Marshall University 16:1; West Virginia University 19:1.

Marshall University vs. WVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Marshall University or WVU? 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 Marshall University than WVU ($8,076 vs. $15,169).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Marshall University are 8.8% lower than at West Virginia University ($13,292 vs. $14,582).
  • West Virginia University is 10.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Marshall University (about $942 more per year; $10,104.00 vs. $9,162.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 40.6% higher at WVU than at Marshall University (about $8,266 more per year; $28,608.00 vs. $20,342.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Marshall University than at West Virginia University (97% vs. 94%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Marshall University students is 8.8% larger than aid received by West Virginia University students ($13,448 vs. $12,363).

Marshall University vs. WVU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Marshall University or WVU? 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 WVU and Marshall University.

  • The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at West Virginia University (1120) is 90 points higher than at Marshall University (1030).
  • Incoming WVU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Marshall University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Marshall University 910/1150; West Virginia University 1010/1220.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Marshall University 19/24; West Virginia University 20/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Marshall University - Test optional; WVU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Marshall University Aug 10, 2027.
  • Enrolled freshman Marshall University students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at WVU (3.45).
  • Marshall University has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than WVU (89%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.1% at Marshall University vs. 24.8% at WVU.

Marshall University vs. WVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Marshall University and WVU? 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.

  • West Virginia University's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than Marshall University's (44%).
  • Graduates from West Virginia University earn a median of about $10,400 more per year than Marshall University graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Marshall University graduates have a $867 lower median loan debt than WVU graduates ($23,134 vs. $24,001).
  • Among borrowers, Marshall University graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WVU graduates ($239 vs. $248).
  • More WVU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Marshall University students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 43%)

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.