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Lake Superior State University

Sault Ste Marie, MI·Public·1,391 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for families looking for lower cost and students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 1,391 students.

68%
Accept
1,391
Students
$14,368
Net Price
57%
Grad Rate
$42,000
Earnings
10 yr
$14,764
Debt

About This School

Lake Superior State University is a public institution located in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan with approximately 1,391 undergraduate students enrolled. Lake Superior State University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 68%. The average net price after financial aid is $14,368 per year. The graduation rate is 57%, and the typical graduate earns $42,000 within 10 years of enrollment.

Lake Superior State University is a public college in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, United States. It enrolls approximately 1,600 students. Due to its proximity to the Canada–United States border, LSSU has many Canadian students and offers joint programs with Sault College and Algoma University in the twin city of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada across the St. Marys River. In a sign of this close relationship with its international neighbor, LSSU flies both the Canadian and United States flags on its campus.

The numbers tell a mixed story here: the low net price ($14,368/year) and modest debt at graduation ($14,764) make this one of the more affordable options you'll find, and the tight-knit campus with cross-border Canadian partnerships offers a genuinely unique experience. That said, a 57% graduation rate and 69% freshman retention rate suggest a significant portion of students don't finish — worth asking hard questions about academic support and student fit before committing. Worth considering if you're drawn to specific programs like engineering technology, nursing, or fisheries, and you're prepared for a very small, remote campus environment that isn't for everyone.

Founded
1946
Setting
Remote town

Popular Programs

Business & Marketing13%
Health Professions11%
Education6%
Engineering5%
Biological Sciences5%
Psychology4%
Physical Sciences4%
Social Sciences3%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Terry McDermottDoug WeightTaffy AbelBrian RolstonJohn GrahameBates BattagliaPete Stauber

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average CompositeN/A

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite23

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$14,266
Out-of-State Tuition
$14,266
Avg Net Price
$14,368
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants29%
Median debt at graduation$14,764

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
57%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
69%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$42,000
after enrollment
Median Debt
$14,764
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$14,764
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$33,000
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$42,000
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 2.8x

Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White73%
Black1%
Asian1%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (1,391 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Lake Superior State University

650 W Easterday Ave

Sault Ste Marie, MI 49783

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Michigan

Browse all Michigan schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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