May 8, 2025
MILWAUKEE — Marquette University reports that over 84% of its 2023-24 bachelor’s degree recipients are employed full time or enrolled in graduate/professional school, part of a service program, or are active military within six months of conferral, according to the annual Undergraduate First Destination Survey conducted jointly by the Office of Institutional Research and Analysis and the Career Center.
Graduates reported 56% full-time employment by the survey date, matching the mark from the 2022-23 graduating class and near the survey’s 10-year average. Among those who are employed full time, 96% reported their job is related to their career goals or an entry level position on the way to those goals. It is the sixth straight year in which at least 95% of respondents reported being on track for their career goals.
One in four graduates indicated they were enrolled in graduate or professional school full time, while 1% of reporting graduates entered post-graduate service, such as Jesuit Volunteer Corps. or the Peace Corps, and an additional 1% are active military.
“Marquette students are hardworking and benefit from the university-wide focus on student success—supporting our students from first day to first destination—which clearly shows in their impressive post-graduation results,” said Courtney Hanson, director of Marquette’s Career Center. “It’s significant that 96% of our 2024 graduates with full-time jobs reported landing roles aligned with their professional aspirations. Starting their careers with purpose is a key factor in future career satisfaction.”
Among the 78% of full-time employed respondents who reported salary information, the median starting salary was $65,000, matching 2022-23 and marking a more than 20% increase since the 2019 survey. The class continued a trend of more than half of graduates settling in Wisconsin, with 54% remaining in the state, while 25% are in Illinois and 6% are elsewhere in the Midwest.
82% of master’s, Ph.D. and certificate graduates report full-time employment
According to the Graduate First Destination Survey, 82% of master’s, Ph.D. and certificate graduates report full-time employment, with 88.7% of respondents “fully engaged” through employment, school, military or other service programs. Additionally, 96% of those employed full time report their job is related to their career goals.
At the college level, the College of Health Sciences saw 90% and the College of Business Administration with 89% of its graduates reporting full-time employment, while the College of Education reported 84%. Sixty-three percent of the cohort settled in Wisconsin.
An executive summary and additional interactive reports can be found online.
About Marquette University
Marquette University is a Catholic, Jesuit university located near the heart of downtown Milwaukee that offers a comprehensive range of majors in 11 nationally and internationally recognized colleges and schools. Through the formation of hearts and minds, Marquette prepares our 11,100 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional students to lead, excel and serve as agents of positive change. And, we deliver results. Ranked in the top 20% of national universities, Marquette is recognized for its undergraduate teaching, innovation and career preparation as the sixth-best university in the country for job placement. Our focus on student success and immersive, personalized learning experiences encourages students to think critically and engage with the world around them. When students graduate with a Marquette degree, they are truly prepared and called to Be The Difference.
Kevin is the associate director for university communication in the Office of Marketing and Communication. Contact Kevin at (414) 288-4745 or kevin.m.conway@marquette.edu.
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