
Marietta College is a private college in Marietta, Ohio, with roots in the early settlement of the Northwest Territory. Its institutional history traces back to Muskingum Academy, established in 1797; Marietta College received its charter in 1835.
That history helps explain the college's combination of liberal arts study and professional preparation. Today, its academic offerings range from humanities and sciences to business, education, health-related fields, and petroleum engineering. The historical connection to Muskingum Academy does not mean the present college has operated under the same name or structure since 1797.
Marietta College offers undergraduate study across the arts, humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and professional fields, along with selected graduate programs. Prospective students should use the current academic catalog to confirm a major's degree requirements and whether it is admitting new students.
Representative fields include biology, chemistry, psychology, communication, history, education, business, computer science, and petroleum engineering. The college also offers health-related graduate study, including physician assistant education. These programs differ substantially in prerequisites, clinical or fieldwork requirements, and routes to employment or licensure.
Academic departments and programs - not individual professors - organize the curriculum. A student comparing majors should examine required courses, opportunities for internships or research, and whether a professional credential requires additional study after graduation. The reported student-to-faculty ratio is 10 to 1, but that campus-wide figure does not predict the size of any particular class.
Marietta College is in Marietta, a southeastern Ohio city where the Muskingum and Ohio rivers meet. Its setting is a small-city one rather than a large metropolitan campus.
The surrounding community can provide opportunities for local internships, service, and off-campus activities, while students seeking a broader range of employers or entertainment may need to travel. A car can be useful for some errands and regional trips; first-year students are permitted to register or park one on campus. Students planning to fly should compare routes and ground transportation rather than assume a nearby major-airport connection. The college is a separate institution from other Ohio schools with similar-sounding names.
Marietta College describes its educational purpose in terms of liberal arts learning, professional preparation, and students' development as thoughtful, engaged participants in their communities. That is the college's stated aim, not a measured outcome for every graduate.
The mix of broad study and career-oriented programs matters when evaluating a major: a student may take courses outside a professional field while also completing specialized requirements. Applicants should compare the current catalog and program outcomes with their own goals rather than relying on a mission statement alone.
Name of the institution
Marietta CollegeLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
Town: FringeInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
1,000 - 4,999School type
Four-year collegeMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1835Marietta College is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Master's degreeData last updated on November 5, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.