Muskingum University

Muskingum offers a career-focused liberal arts curriculum with popular majors in Business (44 graduates annually), Health Service Preparatory Studies (44), Nursing (32), and Marketing (31). The university emphasizes experiential learning, requiring hands-on projects or internships across disciplines. Small class sizes and a 4-year graduation rate of 54% (rising to 59% at 6 years) reflect its supportive but structured academic environment. Programs in Education and Health Professions are particularly strong, with curricula designed to align with regional employment needs in Ohio.

Life at Muskingum revolves around its residential campus culture, with 80% of students living on-site in New Concord, a village so small that the university dominates local life. The vibe is collaborative rather than competitive, with safety ratings at 100% (per Niche) and a slate of low-key traditions. Weekends feature campus-wide events, as off-campus options are limited. Key aspects:

• 59% live in university housing, often in suite-style dorms
• Division III athletics (Ohio Athletic Conference) draw modest crowds
• Over 50 student clubs, with strong participation in service organizations
• A dry campus with Greek life existing but not dominant

Muskingum graduates typically earn $36,427 one year post-graduation, slightly below the national average for liberal arts colleges. The 6-year graduation rate is 55% (47% for Pell Grant recipients), with most debt burdens around $25,369—manageable given the low cost of living in rural Ohio. Notably, education and nursing majors often secure local jobs quickly, while business graduates cluster in nearby Columbus. The career services office emphasizes regional employer connections over national recruiting pipelines.

With 100% of students receiving aid and an average package of $32,675, Muskingum's net price?Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. drops to $20,269—comparable to Ohio's public universities. Key details:

• 99% get institutional grants (avg $12,506)
• Federal loans are common (92% borrow)
• The Ohio College Opportunity Grant significantly reduces costs for in-state students
• Annual dependent student loan limits cap at $20,000 to prevent overborrowing

For a private institution, Muskingum delivers rare affordability, especially for mid-income Ohio families.

Muskingum carves a niche by combining liberal arts rigor with vocational practicality—its nursing students train in regional hospitals while philosophy majors debate in intimate seminars. The campus’s insularity fosters camaraderie (think: professors hosting dinners for classes) but requires students to create their own fun. It’s ideal for those seeking:**

• A low-pressure admissions process without open enrollment’s risks
• Direct pathways to steady Midwest jobs in teaching, healthcare, or mid-sized firms
• A collaborative, anti-cutthroat culture where 80% live on campus all four years

For Ohioans priced out of Oberlin or Denison, Muskingum offers a sensible balance of cost, support, and outcomes.