Marquette University

Marquette University

(Marquette)

Milwaukee, WIPrivateComprehensiveNCAA D1Admissions

Marquette University is a private Jesuit university in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, known for its strong nursing, business, and engineering programs. The university emphasizes a mission of service and social justice rooted in its Catholic, Jesuit tradition. Marquette's urban campus provides students with internship and career opportunities throughout the Milwaukee metropolitan area.

Mascot: Golden Eagle

Notable Alumni

Dwyane Wade (NBA Hall of Fame guard)Chris Farley (comedian, SNL and Tommy Boy)Pat Richter (three-sport All-American)

At a Glance

Acceptance Rate
81%
SAT (Optional)
1200–1360
Avg GPA
3.56
Enrollment
8K
Setting
Urban
Founded
1881

Cost

Tuition$52K
Room & Board$17K
Est. Annual Total$69K

Published sticker prices for 2025-2026. Actual cost after aid varies.

Top Programs & National Ranking

Approximate national ranking based on departmental rankings, research output, and program reputation.

Highlights

Top-30 nursing program nationally
Jesuit mission of service
Strong business school with top-25 specialties

Athletics

Division
NCAA Division 1
Conference
Big East Conference
View on NCAA.com

Campus Experience

Social Life
Moderate
Academic Pressure
Moderate
Greek Life
Small Presence
Campus Beauty
Attractive

Marquette's Greek system involves just 10% of students and is tightly controlled by the university. Basketball is the real social glue here; game days at Fiserv Forum energize the whole campus. The Jesuit emphasis on 'Cura Personalis' creates a culture where Greek life enhances rather than dominates, and Milwaukee's festivals, breweries, and lakefront give students plenty of off-campus social outlets.

Urban campus near downtown Milwaukee with a mix of Gothic Revival landmarks like St. Joan of Arc Chapel and modern academic buildings, pleasant but surrounded by city infrastructure.

Based on Niche reviews, Princeton Review surveys, student forums, and institutional data.

Safety

Campus SafetySafe

Marquette maintains a dedicated campus police force operating 24/7, over 1,200 security cameras, Blue Light phones, and a free LIMO shuttle service running 5 PM to 3 AM.

Neighborhood SafetyModerate

Milwaukee ranks among the higher-crime cities in the U.S. Students are advised to use the shuttle and travel in groups after dark.

Based on Clery Act data, student surveys, and local crime statistics.

Plan Your Visit

Guided Tour

Schedule: Weekdays year-round, select Saturdays for Discovery Days (fall)

Duration: ~75-90 minutes (info session + campus walking tour)

Book at least 2 weeks before your visit — tours fill quickly. Group visits available separately. Discovery Days are weekend open house events in fall for prospective students and families. Call (414) 288-7302 for questions.

Book a Tour
Self-Guided Tour

Free campus tour iPhone app available for self-guided exploration. Campus map recommended as GPS apps may not reflect recent campus changes. Campus is walkable and centrally located in Milwaukee.

Tour Resources
Insider Tips
Visit the St. Joan of Arc Chapel — a genuine 15th-century chapel transported stone by stone from France after WWI; legend says Joan of Arc herself prayed here in 1429 before meeting King Charles VII
Walk to the Historic Third Ward (6 blocks south) for the Milwaukee Public Market, ranked the #1 food hall in America by USA Today — the cheese curds and cream puffs are essential Wisconsin experiences
Explore the Haggerty Museum of Art on campus, a teaching museum with holdings from Old Masters to contemporary artists that's free and often overlooked by visitors
If visiting in warmer months, walk east to the Milwaukee lakefront and the Santiago Calatrava-designed Milwaukee Art Museum — the kinetic 'wings' opening and closing are an architectural spectacle
Best Time to Visit

September through October for pleasant weather and full campus activity, or April through May for spring energy. Avoid January-February when Milwaukee winters are brutally cold. Marquette Madness (basketball season tipoff) and homecoming bring the most campus energy.

Getting There

Free visitor parking (limited, first-come) in Lot D on N. 13th St between Wisconsin Ave and Wells St. Otherwise: 16th Street Parking Structure (749 N. 16th St) or Wells Street Parking Structure (1240 W. Wells St) — $10/day, credit card only. From Milwaukee Mitchell Airport (MKE): ~10 min by taxi (~$25-30), Uber/Lyft, or GoRiteWay shuttle (~$100 for 1-2 people). Campus is near I-94/I-794/I-43 interchange.

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