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Marshall University
Admission at Marshall University is close to open (95.7%), which shifts the homework to outcomes: check the $46,354 median earnings below before the application.
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Marshall University sits in Huntington proper — a public campus woven into the city rather than walled off from it.
Its highest-earning path is Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management, where graduates median $79,371 four years out. 38.7% of undergraduates carry Pell grants — a plain read on who the campus actually serves. With 7,266 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 72.2% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 890 and 1130 — near the WV middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Marshall University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Marshall University received 6,499 applications and admitted 6,269 (96.5%), with 1,739 enrolling.
Marshall University is test-optional: scores are considered when submitted but not required. The 890–1130 range below describes admitted students who chose to submit — typically Marshall University's stronger testers — so treat it as the higher end of what gets in.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 470 | 530 | 580 |
| SAT Math | 420 | 490 | 550 |
| ACT Composite | 18 | 21 | 24 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
How Marshall University compares
| Marshall University | West Virginia median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 95.7% | 93.3% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $9,162 | $10,376 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $46,354 | $44,409 | $53,781 |
Earnings data favors Marshall University: $46,354 median at year ten, versus $44,409 across West Virginia institutions.
Cost, size & completion
In-state students pay $9,162 in tuition; crossing a state border raises that to $20,342. For non-residents, Marshall University's $20,342 is the number to weigh against private options before assuming public means cheaper.
At 7,266 undergrads, Marshall University is a mid-sized campus by U.S. standards.
51.2% graduate within six years. Roughly 49% don't — ask a Marshall University tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at Marshall University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | $79,371 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $77,609 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $75,952 |
| Engineering, General | $72,922 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $70,425 |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $70,073 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $69,565 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $67,667 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $63,906 |
| Marketing | $58,293 |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | $55,840 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $55,037 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $54,659 |
| Political Science and Government | $50,832 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $49,559 |
| Natural Resources and Conservation, Other | $48,972 |
| Systems Science and Theory | $48,250 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $47,581 |
| Psychology, General | $45,309 |
| Biology, General | $44,836 |
| Journalism | $44,277 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $43,995 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $43,714 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $43,659 |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | $42,925 |
| Social Work | $41,684 |
| History | $41,214 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $39,402 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | $35,126 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $32,723 |
Median earnings for these 30 Marshall University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $46,354 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 34 additional Marshall University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Marshall University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 890–1130 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 95.7% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Marshall University's acceptance rate?
96.5% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 6,269 admitted from 6,499 applicants.
How much does Marshall University cost?
In-state tuition is $9,162; out-of-state students pay $20,342. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do Marshall University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $46,354 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in West Virginia
- Fairmont State University — 98.6% admitted
- Davis & Elkins College — 94.3% admitted
- Concord University — 92.6% admitted
- Shepherd University — 96.8% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.