More than a degree: the value of a Marquette education

More than a degree: the value of a Marquette education

Choosing a college is a major decision with significant implications for one's future. At Marquette, we define the value of our education simply: one that prepares you for a fulfilling career and a purposeful life. The Marquette experience is a transformative one focused on the university's four pillars: excellence, faith, leadership and service.

Marquette's high-quality education starts with its Core.

"Every university has general education requirements - Marquette has a Core Curriculum," says Dr. John Su, vice provost for academic affairs and student success. "Rooted in Jesuit perspective and values, the Marquette Core Curriculum focuses on creating students who will communicate responsibly and ethically, engage the world as moral actors and citizens with purpose, collaborate with diverse others using a broad disciplinary focus and become leaders in discovery to solve global problems."

Marquette's education is rooted in being the difference.

Here are some fast facts on Marquette's value:

• #6 nationally for job placement, 10 years after graduation - Zippia.com
• 91% of alumni are employed or in graduate school one year after graduation - 2021 Undergrad Survey
• 95.5% job placement rating for ten years after graduation - Zippia.com
• Best Value - The Princeton Review
• Top 20% America's Best Colleges - U.S. News and World Report
• The top ranked university in Wisconsin - Wall Street Journal/College Pulse
• #56 in the country - Wall Street Journal/College Pulse
• #16 in best schools for internships (private schools) and most engaged in community service - The Princeton Review
• U.S. News and World Report:
  • #86 in best colleges
  • #34 most innovative schools
  • #19 in undergraduate teaching
  • #46 Best value schools
  • A+ school for B students

Here's more from Su and Dan DeWeerdt, senior director of alumni engagement and the Robert H. Radtke Director of Marquette Mentors.

Why is Marquette a good investment for someone's future?

Dr. John Su:

Our mission as a Catholic, Jesuit institution committed to the formation of students as persons, with and for others, is what makes Marquette a good investment for the future. By fulfilling our mission, we prepare students to flourish in dynamic and competitive workplace environments. Among the many indicators of this success is that Marquette ranks number 50 in the country for "colleges where low-income students get the highest ROI," according to the Center for Education and the Workforce.

What programs do you think resonate with students the most and improve their success after graduation? 

Dr. John Su:

National data indicate that our students and alumni resonate particularly with the range of high impact experiential learning and mentorship opportunities here at Marquette. According to the National Survey for Student Engagement, Marquette students report more reflective and integrative learning experiences, better collaborative learning opportunities with their peers, deeper student-faculty interaction, and more discussions with diverse others compared to students at other institutions across the country.

What programs at Marquette stand out when compared to other universities?

Dan DeWeerdt:

One valuable program to support students with career discernment is Marquette Mentors, an initiative created through the Marquette University Alumni Association. Established in 2013, the yearlong, international award-winning program was recognized in 2019 as the gold standard for mentoring initiatives by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. Marquette Mentors is a high-touch initiative matching student mentees with alumni mentors in more than 25 states and Europe, based upon college, major and career interest, providing students with career discernment from a Marquette graduate in their respective field.

Marquette Mentors' significant annual outcomes include 100% of participants recommending the program to others, a 95% alumni mentor retention rate and 90% of mentors and mentees achieving their goals. In addition, Marquette Mentors has received other higher education awards, been featured nationwide at higher education conferences and webinars, and contacted directly by many universities to learn best practices.

How will students benefit from being involved in the Marquette Mentors program?

Dan DeWeerdt:

There are many benefits for students serving in Marquette Mentors, including:

• Establishing a professional relationship with a Marquette graduate in their desired field as they explore career options while on campus
• Getting a firsthand account of what to look for in a desired field
• Establishing goals with an alumni mentor to assist in areas such as career and professional development, job shadowing, learning the value of networking, resume review, interview preparation and graduate school exploration
• Building their Marquette community by networking with more than 200 alumni mentors during the program and well beyond their formal participation
• Establishing long-term partnerships with their alumni mentors who can serve as lifelong advocates and resources for their career journey
• The long-term impact is significant, and many mentees express their interest in giving back by serving as mentors in Marquette Mentors following graduation

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