Michigan Technological University
#1 Best Colleges in Michigan- Graduation Rate
- 68% B-
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $78,198 A
- Top 4% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $14,182 C+
- 17% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 92% D
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A B- overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 31.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $31.5 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Colleges in Michigan.
Every $1 spent returns $31.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,729,872.
What The Data Says
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A B- overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Graduates earn 92% more than the national college median.
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Inventor rate in the top 6% nationally — patents, startups, and new technology flow from its graduates.
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Every $1 invested returns $31.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 4.4%
- Top 6%
- Patents
- 405
- Linked to graduates
- World Rank
- #350-400
- Times Higher Education
- Patent Citations
- 251
- Downstream influence
- Research Score
- 14/100
- Times Higher Education
Why Michigan Technological University Matters
Michigan Technological University is a public research university in Houghton, MI ranked #350-400 in the world by Times Higher Education, and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a strong research base, an unusually high rate of inventors and patents, and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 4% of all U.S. colleges.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R2 · High Research
- Enrollment
- 5,955
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical
Why students choose Michigan Technological 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
Accessible — admits about 92% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1130–1350. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $14,182 a year after grants and scholarships — 17% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $78,198 ten years after enrolling — 92% above the typical college, against $24,990 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.7% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 37% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.60 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of nearly 6,000 students and an acceptance rate of 92%, Michigan Technological University is a solid choice for those looking to dive into fields like Engineering, Computer Science, Business, and Health Professions. The campus thrives on a hands-on approach to education, where students engage in real-world projects and research. If you’re someone who enjoys problem-solving and innovation, this might be a good fit for you.
After graduation, students can expect strong earning potential, with an average salary of about $78,198 after ten years. This figure highlights the value of a degree from Michigan Tech, especially in technical fields. Many graduates see a significant return on their investment, particularly in STEM careers, and the affordability of the education plays a role here, too.
The net price after financial aid stands at around $14,182, which is relatively manageable compared to other institutions. While the median debt upon graduation is $24,990, this is balanced by the promising post-grad earnings. Students who tend to thrive here are often those who are self-motivated and eager to apply their knowledge in practical settings, making the most of the opportunities available.
Rankings
- #1 Best Colleges in Michigan
- #1 Best Online Colleges in Michigan
- #1 Best Engineering Colleges in Michigan
- #2 Best Computer Science Colleges in Michigan
- #2 Best Data Science Colleges in Michigan
- #3 Best Bachelor's Programs in Michigan
- #3 Best Master's Programs in Michigan
- #4 Best MBA Programs in Michigan
Can I Get In?
How selective Michigan Technological 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 Michigan Technological University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Houghton, Michigan, Michigan Technological University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 92%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,258. The graduation rate is roughly 68%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 92%
- Retention Rate
- 89%
- SAT Average
- 1258
- ACT Midpoint
- 28
- SAT Range
- 1130–1350
- ACT Range
- 25–31
- Full-Time Faculty
- 87%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $11,858
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.32
- First-Gen Students
- 19%
- Applicants
- 7,893
- Admitted
- 7,394
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2025-26
The acceptance rate tells you how hard Michigan Technological University is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 21% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school most admitted students ultimately pass on.
- Yield Rate
- 21%
- of admits enroll
- Submitted SAT
- 66%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Submitted ACT
- 18%
- of enrolled freshmen
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 Michigan Technological University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Michigan Technological University is $42,988, 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 $14,182. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $2,045 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,990 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $19,123
- Out-of-State
- $42,988
- Avg Net Price
- $14,182
- Median Debt
- $24,990
- Pell Grant Rate
- 20%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 46%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $2,045
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $3,373
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $6,187
- Family Income $110K+
- $23,107
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Michigan Technological University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Michigan Technological University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Michigan Technological University earn a median of $78,198, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $69,672
- 8 Years
- $75,629
- 10 Years
- $78,198
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.32x
- Earning > $25K
- 79%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (359)
- 30%
- 100% (359)
- 30%
- 100% (359)
- 30%
- 100% (359)
- 30%
How Michigan 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 Michigan Technological University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Michigan Technological University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $14,182/year ($56,728 total). Graduates earn $78,198 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,786,600 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,729,872 (31.5× your investment). The median debt is $24,990, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 68% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $56,728
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,786,600
- Net Return
- $1,729,872
- ROI Multiple
- 31.5×
- Cost Per Year
- $14,182
- Median Debt
- $24,990
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 68%
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 Michigan Technological University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Michigan Technological 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 1.75%, well above the typical college. Access is narrower: only about 3.7% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 46.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $98,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.75%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 46.7%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 3.7%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $134,099
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
Michigan Technological University produces inventors at an exceptional rate — the top 6% of U.S. colleges, with 405 patents tied to its graduates, and ranks among research universities with a 14/100 research score.
- Inventor Rate
- 4.43%
- Top 6% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 405
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 251
- Downstream influence
- Research Score
- 14/100
- Times Higher Ed
- Academic Influence
- 25/100
- Citation impact (THE)
- Industry Engagement
- 42/100
- Knowledge transfer (THE)
- Inventors From Low-Income
- 2.58%
- Bottom-20% families
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-7,540,534
Top Programs
The fields Michigan Technological University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Engineering 56% $92,883 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 9% $89,170 early-career
- Business & Marketing 7% $81,390 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 2% $39,121 early-career
- Health Professions 2% $60,427 early-career
- Psychology 1% $25,556 early-career
- Physical Sciences 1% $49,829 early-career
- Mathematics & Statistics 1% $78,768 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Michigan Technological 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
- B-AI/ML Engineer$156,000 · 23% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Computer Vision Engineer$145,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CPhysicist$142,850 · 5% growthAdaptable 66
- CAstronomer$142,850 · 4% growthAdaptable 66
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Michigan Technological University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Houghton, Michigan, Michigan Technological University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 92%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,258. The graduation rate is roughly 68%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Michigan Technological University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Michigan Technological University is $42,988, 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 $14,182. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $2,045 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,990 in federal student loans.
Is Michigan Technological University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Michigan Technological University earn a median of $78,198, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
Does Michigan Technological University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Michigan Technological 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 1.75%, well above the typical college. Access is narrower: only about 3.7% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 46.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $98,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Michigan Technological 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 Michigan Technological University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.60, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
How Research-Intensive Is Michigan Technological University? World Rank, Teaching & Citations
Times Higher Education places Michigan Technological University at #350-400 worldwide. Its profile spans a research score of 14/100, teaching at 21/100, and citation impact of 25/100, reflecting both the volume of research output and how often that work is cited by scholars elsewhere.
Does Michigan Technological University offer Early Decision?
No. Michigan Technological University does not report a binding Early Decision plan (2025-26 Common Data Set).
Is Michigan Technological University really test-optional?
Michigan Technological University reports test-optional admission, but most enrolled students still submit scores: about 84% of first-year students sent an SAT or ACT (2025-26 Common Data Set). Submitting strong scores is the norm here.
What percentage of admitted students enroll at Michigan Technological University?
About 21% of admitted students choose to enroll at Michigan Technological University — its yield rate (2025-26 Common Data Set). Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Michigan Technological University.
- University of Washington-Bothell CampusBothell, WA · Close peer67% grad $78,466 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Sonoma State UniversityRohnert Park, CA · Close peer59% grad $65,986 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of Wisconsin-PlattevillePlatteville, WI · Close peer58% grad $61,760 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of Washington-Tacoma CampusTacoma, WA · Close peer63% grad $78,466 earn 83% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Salisbury UniversitySalisbury, MD · Close peer68% grad $61,515 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Missouri University of Science and TechnologyRolla, MO · Close peer64% grad $82,957 earn 73% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Michigan Technological 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 Michigan Technological University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.60, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note