The University Archives collects and administers the archives of Marquette University and its various units, including office administrative files, publications, and the papers of faculty, students, staff, and alumni, and their respective organizations. Published holdings include retrospective files of the Marquette Tribune, the Hilltop yearbook, course catalogs, commencement programs, faculty and student directories, programs of musical concerts, lectures, dramatic performances, and athletic events, and more. Other printed items include college and departmental reports, press releases, calendars of events, reports of the President, and alumni publications.

The department retains a bound copy of each Marquette dissertation and thesis, in addition to many undergraduate and graduate essays. A growing file of faculty publications contains journal articles, reprints, and books. The extensive photographic collection includes prints of faculty, students, class reunions, laboratories, classrooms, buildings, and campus scenes. Slides, negatives, and audio/videotape records are also available. An excellent collection of football and basketball films dates from the 1930s.

The Department of Special Collections & University Archives has digitized a small portion of their holdings. These resources are available online through the eArchives portal.