Top 10 things you may not know about Marquette

#1 Our home is Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

(Not Marquette, Michigan 😊) A 90-minute drive from Chicago, Milwaukee is a great city by a Great Lake. Lake Michigan is a short walk from campus, and the lakefront boasts a renowned art museum, festival grounds, parks and beaches. Although known for beer, brats and festivals, Milwaukee’s sense of community and vibrant culinary scene are getting noticed, with National Geographic ranking Milwaukee among its “25 breathtaking places and experiences for 2023” and Eater listing Milwaukee among 12 international destinations on its “Where to Eat in 2024” list.

#2 We’re ranked 6th in the country for job placement.

Thanks to strong industry relations, plentiful internship and co-op opportunities, an active alumni network, and career services support, Marquette was ranked sixth nationally and first in Wisconsin for job placement 10 years after graduation, based on Department of Education College Scorecard data. Check out some of the jobs our students are securing on the You Are Marquette Instagram!

#3 Everyone knows a little Latin here.

Phrases like cura personalis (care for the whole person) and magis (translated as more; also understood as seeking universal good) are concepts rooted in our Catholic, Jesuit tradition and influence our approach to education and life in general. Our Catholic, Jesuit mission is a part of everything we do as we strive to develop people for and with others. Forty-six Jesuits call Marquette home and actively support our mission and ministry among students, faculty and staff. There are 17 worship spaces on campus, and over 30 Catholic Masses are celebrated each month.

#4 Our 115,000-plus alumni stay connected and involved.

Spanning all 50 states and many parts of the globe, our alumni community rallies to support our students and our campus through Time To Rise: the Marquette Promise to Be The Difference, which has exceeded its $750 million goal to expand student opportunities, support our teacher-scholars, foster university innovation, and transform our campus environment. In its 11th year, the award-winning Marquette Mentors Program connects students with alumni mentors from Alaska to London to support students with career exploration, job shadowing and networking. Get within earshot of a Marquette event and you will hear our rallying cry: We Are Marquette!

#5 We’re home to orcs, goblins, elves and quidditch.

Marquette’s Raynor Library is home to the J.R.R. Tolkien Collection, which includes original manuscripts and drafts of three of the author’s most celebrated books — The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and Farmer Giles of Ham — and other Tolkien memorabilia. Beyond the Harry Potter-inspired quidditch, we also have over 40 club and recreation sports and more than 300 student organizations — there’s truly something for everyone.

#6 Marquette is committed to sustainability and environmental justice.  

Marquette University was recently recognized by The Princeton Review as one of the nation’s most environmentally responsible colleges and was highlighted in the "Trends & Innovations" section of the 2023 Sustainable Campus Index for being the first college or university to participate in in the WAVE program. Marquette also received a STARS Bronze rating for its sustainability achievements from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. The STARS rating acknowledges Marquette’s comprehensive efforts to improve sustainability and reduce the university’s carbon footprint.

#7 We earn high marks from U.S. News & World Report. 

The national publication ranks Marquette in the top 20% of America’s Best Colleges, top 20 for Best Undergraduate Teaching, top 35 for Most Innovative Schools and top 50 for Best Value. Marquette prides itself on its strong liberal arts education where every undergraduate student’s educational experience is the Marquette Core Curriculum, which provides the personally transformative studies that have been a hallmark of Jesuit education since the 16th century.   

#8 We’re the first Catholic university in the world to educate women alongside men. 

In 1909, Marquette President James McCabe, S.J., began to permit women to enroll in Bachelor of Arts classes at a new summer school. Despite initial pushback, his bold action paved the way for gender equity at Marquette as the first Catholic institution of higher education to admit both men and women into its core undergraduate academic program. 

#9 There’s history on campus dating back to the year 1420. 

St. Joan of Arc Chapel, originally constructed in early 15th century France, was rebuilt brick by brick in the heart of campus in the 1960s and then dedicated in 1966. This medieval treasure remains a favorite spot for students, alumni and curious travelers alike. And its Tuesday night Masses have been celebrated by generations of Marquette students. 

#10 We’re pretty good at basketball.

But you already knew that. We also cheer on our 14 other NCAA Division I athletics teams that compete in the Big East, each offering a dynamic experience for student-athletes and spectators. Go Golden Eagles!