Lake Superior State University
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$57,064
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$7,767/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
7.3 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
172%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
The annual tuition at Lake Superior State University is $14,266. One year after graduation, the median earnings are $42,685. Five years after graduation, the median earnings are $42,767, and ten years after graduation, the median earnings are $49,045. The median debt for students is $23,250, and 43.5% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio, calculated by dividing the median debt by the one-year post-graduation earnings, is approximately 0.54. This indicates that the median debt is about 54% of the median one-year earnings.
Based on the provided data, it would take approximately 0.6 years for a graduate to earn an amount equal to their median debt, assuming they allocate all earnings towards debt repayment. This calculation is derived by dividing the median debt of $23,250 by the one-year post-graduation earnings of $42,685.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$14,266
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,250
Median Earnings (5yr)
$42,767
Graduation Rate
54%
Receive Financial Aid
44%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $57,064 | $59,907 | 773% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | $57,064 | $55,447 | 617% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | $57,064 | $42,690 | 170% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | $57,064 | $55,016 | 602% |
| Homeland Security. | $57,064 | $54,450 | 582% |
| Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management. | $57,064 | $41,188 | 117% |
| Fire Protection. | $57,064 | $60,210 | 784% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | $57,064 | $0 | N/A |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $57,064 | $43,488 | 197% |
| Mechanical Engineering. | $57,064 | $0 | N/A |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | $57,064 | $0 | N/A |
| Psychology, General. | $57,064 | $43,415 | 195% |
Peer Comparison
172%
20yr ROI
-4%
20yr ROI
349%
20yr ROI
187%
20yr ROI
330%
20yr ROI
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.