Lake Superior State University
#2 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Michigan- Graduation Rate
- 54% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $49,045 B-
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $12,822 B-
- 25% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 1,325
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 22.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $22.5 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Michigan.
Every $1 spent returns $22.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,101,480.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 20% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $22.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Lake Superior State University Matters
Lake Superior State University is a public college in Sault Ste Marie, MI and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate College
- Enrollment
- 1,325
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Criminal Justice, Business & Marketing, Humanities, Engineering
Why students choose Lake Superior State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $12,822 a year after grants and scholarships — 25% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $49,045 ten years after enrolling — 20% above the typical college, against $23,250 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.3% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 58% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.50 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Lake Superior State University is a solid choice for students looking for a close-knit environment with a focus on practical, career-oriented programs. With an enrollment of about 1,325, it’s a place where you can really get to know your professors and classmates. Students here often dive into fields like Criminal Justice, Health Professions, and Business & Marketing. Those programs stand out for their hands-on learning opportunities, which can make a difference when you’re preparing for the workforce.
Looking at what happens after graduation, students can expect to earn an average of $49,045 within ten years. That number gives a good sense of the return on your investment when considering the affordable net price of $12,822. The 27% of students receiving Pell Grants indicates that there is support available for those who need it. This affordability is important, especially when you factor in the median debt of $23,250, which is manageable for many graduates.
When it comes to the bottom line, students who thrive at Lake Superior State University often appreciate the supportive community and the focus on career readiness. The cost after financial aid is reasonable, which helps reduce the burden of student loans. Those who are proactive about engagement—whether in academics, extracurricular activities, or networking—tend to find the most success here, setting a solid foundation for their future careers.
Rankings
- #2 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Michigan
- #11 Best Bachelor's Programs in Michigan
- #11 Best Master's Programs in Michigan
- #11 Best Online Colleges in Michigan
- #11 Best Education Colleges in Michigan
- #12 Best Colleges in Michigan
- #12 Best Engineering Colleges in Michigan
- #12 Best Biology Colleges in Michigan
Can I Get In?
How selective Lake Superior State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Lake Superior State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Lake Superior State University, located in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan, enrolls students across a range of programs. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 23. The graduation rate is roughly 54%.
- Retention Rate
- 79%
- ACT Midpoint
- 23
- Full-Time Faculty
- 92%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,000
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.50
- First-Gen Students
- 33%
- Applicants
- 2,408
- Admitted
- 1,852
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Lake Superior State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Lake Superior State University is $14,890, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $12,822. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $3,516 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,250 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $14,890
- Out-of-State
- $14,890
- Avg Net Price
- $12,822
- Median Debt
- $23,250
- Pell Grant Rate
- 27%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 37%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $3,516
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $9,226
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $10,422
- Family Income $110K+
- $20,321
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Lake Superior State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Lake Superior State University earn a median of $49,045, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $42,767
- 8 Years
- $48,815
- 10 Years
- $49,045
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.47x
- Earning > $25K
- 59%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (125)
- 31%
- 100% (125)
- 31%
- 100% (125)
- 31%
- 100% (125)
- 31%
How Lake Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Lake Superior State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Lake Superior State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $12,822/year ($51,288 total). Graduates earn $49,045 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,152,768 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,101,480 (22.5× your investment). The median debt is $23,250, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 54% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $51,288
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,152,768
- Net Return
- $1,101,480
- ROI Multiple
- 22.5×
- Cost Per Year
- $12,822
- Median Debt
- $23,250
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 54%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Lake Superior State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Lake Superior State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.33%, well above the typical college. About 8.5% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 15.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $75,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.33%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 15.7%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 8.5%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $75,500
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $1,442,777
- Investment Income
- $-2,869,421
Top Programs
The fields Lake Superior State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Criminal Justice 17%
- Business & Marketing 15%
- Humanities 13%
- Engineering 8%
- Health Professions 8%
- Biology & Biomedical 7%
- Education 7%
- Physical Sciences 4%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Lake Superior State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CPhysicist$142,850 · 5% growthAdaptable 66
- CAstronomer$142,850 · 4% growthAdaptable 66
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Lake Superior State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Lake Superior State University, located in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan, enrolls students across a range of programs. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 23. The graduation rate is roughly 54%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Lake Superior State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Lake Superior State University is $14,890, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $12,822. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $3,516 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,250 in federal student loans.
Is Lake Superior State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Lake Superior State University earn a median of $49,045, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Lake Superior State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Lake Superior State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.33%, well above the typical college. About 8.5% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 15.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $75,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Lake Superior State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Lake Superior State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.50, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 13% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Lake Superior State University.
- Northern State UniversityAberdeen, SD · Close peer51% grad $47,618 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Buena Vista UniversityStorm Lake, IA · Close peer54% grad $49,156 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Catawba CollegeSalisbury, NC · Close peer50% grad $48,793 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Georgetown CollegeGeorgetown, KY · Close peer48% grad $52,074 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Chadron State CollegeChadron, NE · Close peer44% grad $47,002 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Mount St. Joseph UniversityCincinnati, OH · Close peer56% grad $51,509 earn 59% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Lake Superior State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Lake Superior State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.50, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 13% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note