Lake Superior State University vs Aquinas College: which has better ROI?
Aquinas College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $66,504 in 54.3 years versus 74.9 years at Lake Superior State University, on median earnings of $49,584 vs $49,045 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Lake Superior State University | Aquinas College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,822 | $16,626 |
| Total net cost | $51,288 | $66,504 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $49,045 | $49,584 |
| Median debt | $23,250 | $23,000 |
| Payback | 74.9 yrs | 54.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$37,588 | -$42,024 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Lake Superior State University or Aquinas College?
Lake Superior State University, at $12,822 a year after aid versus $16,626 — a gap of $3,804 a year, or $15,216 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Lake Superior State University or Aquinas College graduates earn more?
Aquinas College graduates report a median $49,584 ten years after entry, $539 more than the $49,045 at Lake Superior State University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Lake Superior State University or Aquinas College?
Aquinas College: its completers carry a median $23,000 in federal loans versus $23,250 at Lake Superior State University, a difference of $250. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
65% of students finish at Aquinas College, against 51% at Lake Superior State University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.