Analysis
Drawing from other Michigan computer engineering programs, Lake Superior State's Bachelor's appears positioned in the middle of the state's range—between flagship programs earning above $90,000 and lower-tier options in the high $70,000s. The estimated first-year earnings of roughly $81,000 and median debt around $26,000 produce a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32, which is manageable for an engineering degree and slightly below what most computer engineering graduates carry nationally.
The reality here is that Michigan's computer engineering market offers fairly consistent outcomes whether students attend a flagship or a regional university, with most programs clustering in the $80,000-$83,000 range. This suggests employers value the technical credential more than the institutional brand. For a family considering Lake Superior State specifically, the 68% admission rate makes it accessible, though the lack of reported data means we're inferring outcomes from peer schools rather than tracking this program's actual graduates.
The financial math works if those estimates hold—less than four months of salary to cover the debt burden is reasonable for engineering. But recognize you're making this decision with borrowed data from similar programs across Michigan, not from evidence of where Lake Superior State's own computer engineering graduates land. If location in the Upper Peninsula fits your family's needs and the engineering curriculum is solid, the estimated numbers suggest acceptable risk.
Where Lake Superior State University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all computer engineering bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Michigan
Computer Engineering bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Michigan (12 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $14,266 | $80,746* | — | $25,726* | — | |
| $17,228 | $92,501* | $107,608 | $20,500* | 0.22 | |
| $15,988 | $83,934* | $92,342 | $24,999* | 0.30 | |
| $46,380 | $82,580* | — | $29,984* | 0.36 | |
| $14,628 | $80,746* | — | $26,676* | 0.33 | |
| $14,944 | $79,022* | $85,731 | $25,327* | 0.32 | |
| National Median | — | $78,952* | — | $24,500* | 0.31 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with computer engineering graduates
Architectural and Engineering Managers
Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
Computer Hardware Engineers
Software Developers
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Computer Network Architects
Telecommunications Engineering Specialists
Database Architects
Data Warehousing Specialists
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Lake Superior State University, approximately 29% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 7 similar programs in MI. Actual outcomes may vary.