Lake Superior State University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Lake Superior State University charges a net price of $12,822/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $51,288. Graduates earn a median $49,045 ten years after entry, $685/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 74.9 years — a 20-year net return of -$37,588, a weak return — the cost is hard to justify on earnings alone. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Lake Superior State University's 74.9-year payback ranks #1,215 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 5% of them, and #33 of 85 in Michigan.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $12,822/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $51,288 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $49,045 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $685/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $23,250 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 74.9 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | -$37,588 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Lake Superior State University's own numbers. Net price $12,822 × 4 years = $51,288 total. Median earnings $49,045 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $685 a year of premium. $51,288 ÷ $685 = 74.9 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves -$37,588. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Lake Superior State University students graduate with?
A median $23,250 in federal loans among completers, or 47% of the $49,045 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Lake Superior State University students graduate?
51% finish their degree — 49% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $51,288 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $100,565 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Lake Superior State University expensive compared with other Michigan colleges?
Its $12,822 net price runs $1,479 below the $14,301 median across the 85 Michigan colleges we profile, and $5,916 less across the full degree.