Marietta College freezes tuition and announces Marietta Promise Award

Stepping up to help make college financially possible

by Linda Lockhart

Marietta, OH (12/11/2025) — Although recent employment data projects 72 percent of jobs will require some kind of education beyond high school within the next six years, students and families often experience cost as a barrier to attaining a private college education. Marietta College is stepping up to ensure that a high-quality, private education remains within reach for students and their families.

TUITION FREEZE: For the 2026-2027 academic year, Marietta College will not increase tuition, fees, or housing costs. Alongside stable pricing, Marietta College continues to offer generous financial aid with a wide range of scholarships, grants and support programs. The average financial aid award for students is $38,000.

"The Board of Trustees' action to maintain stable tuition and housing rates reflects the College's commitment to address increasing cost as a barrier to a transformational private college experience," President Kathleen Dougherty explained. "By keeping the cost of tuition and housing flat for the upcoming year we help to ensure students can move forward with confidence, building their futures without incurring unexpected financial burdens."

A three percent increase in cost of meal plans will be necessary due to the rising price of food---an addition of approximately $80 to $90 per semester. Details about tuition and housing options for the 2026-27 academic year will be shared directly with students and families. More information about tuition, fees and the cost of attendance is available at www.marietta.edu/cost-attendance.

Even with stable tuition costs, for many low-to-middle income families the cost of college means the dream of a bachelor's degree from a private college is often seen as especially out of reach. Students who believe their families can't afford college are less likely to enroll than those who think they can, according to national statistics. Therefore, putting a bachelor's degree financially within reach is especially critical for low- and middle-income students because bachelor's degrees are associated with higher earnings, lower unemployment rates, and greater economic security for families.

MARIETTA PROMISE AWARD: To make a bachelor's degree from Marietta College a financial possibility for these families the College has introduced the Marietta Promise Award. For Pell-eligible students, this award covers the amount of tuition and mandatory fees that remain after all other federal, state and institutional aid has been applied. What that means for eligible students is that they can attend Marietta College without paying additional tuition out of pocket.

A household adjusted gross income (AGI) of $75,000 or less may qualify for Pell eligibility, a federal grant program that considers income, household size, and other factors. Determining eligibility begins with filing the FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

"We want to make sure that these prospective students and their families know there is an option that can make a private educational experience possible," Dougherty said. "With the Marietta Promise Award, an eligible student can become part of the Marietta campus community where they will be surrounded by confidence, optimism, opportunity and a commitment to career success."

The Marietta Promise Award is awarded to eligible first-time, degree-seeking students and is renewable for up to eight semesters, as long as a student continues to meet eligibility guidelines. In addition to being Pell eligible, award guidelines include: an earned high school GPA of 2.95 or higher, full-time enrollment of at least 12 credit hours per semester, a commitment to live in on-campus housing, and the student must be attempting a first bachelor's degree. Learn more about the Marietta Promise Award at Marietta.edu/promise-award.

Marietta College

Marietta College freezes tuition and announces Marietta Promise Award

Stepping up to help make college financially possible

Marietta College

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