
1 John Marshall Drive, Huntington, WV 25755, USA


Marshall University supports a broad athletics program that competes primarily at the NCAA Division I level, providing students with opportunities to participate in a variety of sports. The university fields teams known as the Thundering Herd, which play in the Sun Belt Conference, engaging in numerous men's and women's varsity sports.
Among the sports offered are football, basketball, baseball, soccer, track and field, and volleyball, along with several others, creating a robust environment for student-athletes. The football program, historically significant and well-supported, competes in the Football Bowl Subdivision, showcasing a competitive schedule throughout the season.
Facilities for athletics include several dedicated venues such as Joan C. Edwards Stadium for football and the Cam Henderson Center for basketball, offering modern amenities for both players and fans. The university also emphasizes the holistic development of student-athletes with support services that include academic advising, strength and conditioning programs, and medical care to enhance both performance and well-being.
Recreational sports and intramural programs are also available for the wider student body, encouraging participation in physical activity and promoting campus engagement beyond varsity competition. This comprehensive athletic structure contributes to fostering school spirit, community involvement, and personal growth among students at Marshall.
Marshall University offers a variety of student groups and associations for those interested in campus social life. The university has a total of six social organizations, evenly divided between those for men and those for women. These groups collectively engage approximately 0.08% of the entire student body, considering the men's and women's total enrollments of 2,981 and 3,907 respectively. Prospective students looking to join community and social clubs will find these organizations readily accessible as part of their campus experience.
Marshall University enrolls a diverse student body that spans a wide range of ages and backgrounds. The undergraduate population is predominantly young, with the largest groups aged 18 to 21, though there are also many students who are older, reflecting varying stages of life and career paths.
Freshmen represent a solid cohort with 1,735 new students annually, placing the university in the upper third nationally for this measure. Additionally, transfer students contribute significantly, with 537 joining from other institutions, highlighting the university's role as a destination for continuing higher education.
The student composition by residency shows a strong in-state presence, with 78% of students hailing from West Virginia, which is above average compared to other universities. Out-of-state students account for 22%, a proportion lower than many peers.
Regarding international representation, the number of students from foreign countries is very limited, with almost no international enrollment, which might influence campus diversity from a global perspective.
The university's ethnic makeup reveals a majority of white students, comprising 5,933 individuals, indicating a high majority compared to many institutions. Other ethnic groups include African American students numbering 390 and Hispanic students around 212, each representing average levels compared to national benchmarks. Smaller populations include Asian, Native American, Pacific Islander, and multiracial students, each accounting for less than 300 individuals. There is also a notable segment classified under unknown ethnicity.
Marshall University offers a vibrant student life enriched by a variety of cultural and recreational opportunities. Students can engage in numerous campus activities such as theater productions, radio broadcasts, television shows, and musical ensembles including band and chorus. A campus newspaper provides a platform for student journalism and communication.
Health and well-being services are readily accessible, with facilities that include a health clinic, psychological counseling, and a veterans affairs office. Additionally, the university supports diversity and equity through dedicated resources like a women's center.
Marshall University's competitive athletic teams participate in the NCAA, adding to the campus spirit and community involvement. The student body consists of around 12,000 individuals, maintaining a student-faculty ratio of approximately 15 to 1, which contributes to a supportive academic environment.
Marshall University offers students access to three libraries, including the main Drinko Library, placing it among institutions with a high number of libraries overall. This availability ranks the university in the top 30% nationally for library count. In addition to the main library, students can utilize two other campus libraries, which collectively position Marshall University in the top 35% for the number of additional libraries available.
The university maintains a collection of approximately 682,176 books, which is considered average in size and ranks it within the top 40% compared to peer institutions. While the library has a broad range of print resources, its number of subscriptions, digital subscriptions, and ebooks fall closer to the median or below, indicating more limited access to electronic materials relative to some universities. Specifically, there are 2,059 subscriptions and 63,984 digital subscriptions, with the ebook collection totaling 379,885 titles.
Students can also benefit from access to around 170 databases, offering research support across various academic disciplines. The library services include staff trained to assist patrons and well-established operating hours totaling 73 service hours each week. Facilities support both physical and digital access to resources, and the buildings provide study rooms along with all-day access options, enhancing convenience for students seeking a conducive study environment. Additionally, there is access to shared collections, expanding the range of materials available beyond Marshall University's own holdings.
Total enrollment
11958Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen
1818Member of Athletic Associations
Data not availableTotal staff
500 full time, 212 part timeVeterans affair office
YesMain library name
Drinko LibraryNumber of libraries on campus
3Reservable study rooms in library
Yes24h access
YesPhysical facilities
YesAccess to digital/electronic resources
YesStaff trained to provide and interpret library materials
YesEstablished library hours
YesAccess to library collections that are shared with other institutions
Yes