Sault Ste Marie, MI · Private University
Is Lake Superior State University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$49,045
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$14,266
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$14,266
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$57,064
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
3.44x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
4.1 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
56.9%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$23,250
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$14,368
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Lake Superior State University graduates earn $4,045 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Lake Superior State University ranked by graduate earnings
21 graduates
62 graduates
42 graduates
19 graduates
20 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Lake Superior State University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Lake Superior State University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Mechanical Engineering: $77,229) and the lowest (Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management: $41,188) is $36,041/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical EngineeringBest ROI(1yr data) | $77,229 | 5.4x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $59,907 | 4.2x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $55,447 | 3.9x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $43,488 | 3.0x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $41,917 | 2.9x |
| Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and ManagementLowest | $41,188 | 2.9x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Lake Superior State University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $49,045 10 years after starting, $4,045 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 4.1 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.