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Is Lake Superior State University worth it?
A first pass affordability and outcome read for Lake Superior State, using national average inputs. Run your own numbers for a personalized score.
Worth-It Score
Workable
Lake Superior State lands in the workable band for a typical family. Median debt of $23,250 can be carried by median long-run earnings of $49,045, but the margin is not huge. For context, Lake Superior State's net price is about 9% above the typical 4-year, public school. This is the kind of school where your actual aid offer can move the answer meaningfully.
Is the price fair?
Compared to 774 similar 4-year, public schools
This school
$14,345
/yrAverage school like this
$13,155
/yrNet price is slightly above average
You'd pay about $1,191 more per year than the typical student at a similar school. Over 4 years that's roughly $5,000 in extra cost.
Score breakdown
The public version of the score weighs affordability, after graduation outcomes, and repayment burden.
Affordability
40% weight
The yearly net price sits in a range that leaves more room for family cash flow and lower borrowing.
Outcome
40% weight
The outcome data does not create enough margin to fully offset the cost.
Repayment
20% weight
Median debt stays in a more comfortable repayment range for a typical graduate.
The numbers behind the score
Median net price per year
$12,822
Median earnings 10 years out
$49,045
Median debt at graduation
$23,250
Graduation rate
54%
At Lake Superior State, a typical graduate carries about $23,250 in student debt and earns roughly $49,045 ten years after enrolling. On a standard 10-year repayment plan, that works out to about $264 per month, or 6% of pre-tax income. That sits inside a borrower comfort range for many graduates.
What this means for your family
Lake Superior State is a public four year school in Sault Ste Marie, MI. For many families, the key question is whether the published value here beats cheaper in state or regional alternatives once your real aid offer arrives.
Similar schools worth comparing
These schools share a similar sector, geography, or price range.
Public 4-year
Wayne State
Detroit, MI
Worth-It Score: 68/100
Median net price: $12,766
Public 4-year
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI
Worth-It Score: 91/100
Median net price: $13,138
Public 4-year
Northern Michigan
Marquette, MI
Worth-It Score: 62/100
Median net price: $14,085
Public 4-year
Michigan Technological
Houghton, MI
Worth-It Score: 80/100
Median net price: $14,182
Public 4-year
Western Michigan
Kalamazoo, MI
Worth-It Score: 66/100
Median net price: $15,273
Common questions about Lake Superior State
The median net price at Lake Superior State is $12,822 per year. That is the average yearly price after typical grant aid for students in the public federal data, not the published sticker price.
Get your personalized Worth-It score
National averages are a starting point. Plug in your actual aid offer, intended major, and family situation to get a score that reflects your specific picture.
Looking at public universities options in Michigan? See the most affordable public universities in Michigan →
The Worth-It Score weighs affordability (40%), after graduation outcomes (40%), and repayment burden (20%). Underlying data points come from publicly available federal higher education reporting. See full methodology →