Lake Superior State University vs. SAU

Should I go to Lake Superior State University or Spring Arbor University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Lake Superior State University or SAU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Lake Superior State University vs. Spring Arbor University comparison
Lake Superior State University Spring Arbor University College 3 College 4
Lake Superior State University
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Overview

 Lake Superior State University SAU
Location Sault Ste Marie, MI Spring Arbor, MI
Setting Remote Town Small Suburban
Enrollment 1,655 2,396
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #745 #501
Religious Affiliation - Free Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website lssu.edu arbor.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Lake Superior State University SAU
Tuition (In State) $13,440 $31,020
Tuition (Out of State) $13,440 $31,020
Room & Board $11,016 $10,652
Avg Net Price $14,336 $22,375
Avg Grant Aid $10,816 $20,677
% Receiving Grant Aid 91% 99%

Admission

 Lake Superior State University SAU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,408 2,312
Admitted 1,852 1,094
Acceptance Rate 76.9% 47.3%
Enrolled % 15.1% 20.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.2 3.61
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/26 20/26
SAT Range 1000/1225 970/1135
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

 Lake Superior State University SAU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (21%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
  • Business (31%)
  • Work and Family Studies (14%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Human Services (9%)

Outcomes

 Lake Superior State University SAU
Graduation Rate 35% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,300 $42,600
Making Student Loan Payments 57% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,250 $24,043
Median Loan Payment $240 $248

Diversity

 Lake Superior State University SAU
% Men 45% 23%
% Women 55% 77%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 80% 77%
% Black 1% 10%
% Hispanic 2% 3%
% Native American 8% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 3%
% International 7% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 5%

Students

 Lake Superior State University SAU
% In-State 83% 83%
% Out-of-State 8% 13%

Campus

 Lake Superior State University SAU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Spring Arbor University is larger than than Lake Superior State University based on total student enrollment (2,396 students vs. 1,655 students)

Lake Superior State University vs. SAU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lake Superior State University or SAU?

  • Spring Arbor University is 130.8% more expensive to attend than Lake Superior State University for in-state tuition ($31,020.00 vs. $13,440.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 130.8% higher at SAU than Lake Superior State University ($31,020.00 vs. $13,440.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Lake Superior State University than SAU ($14,336 vs. $22,375)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 3.4% lower than costs at Lake Superior State University ($10,652 vs. $11,016)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Spring Arbor University than Lake Superior State University (99% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Spring Arbor University students is 91.2% larger than aid received Lake Superior State University ($20,677 vs. $10,816)

Lake Superior State University vs. SAU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lake Superior State University or SAU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between SAU or Lake Superior State University .

  • The average SAT score at Spring Arbor University (1073) is 46 points higher than at Lake Superior State University (1027)
  • Incoming SAU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Lake Superior State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman SAU students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Lake Superior State University (3.2)
  • Lake Superior State University has a higher acceptance rate (76.9%) than SAU (47.3%)

Lake Superior State University vs. SAU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Lake Superior State University or SAU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between SAU and Lake Superior State University.

  • The graduation rate at SAU is higher than Lake Superior State University (56% vs. 35%)
  • Graduates from Spring Arbor University earn on average $2,300 more per year than Lake Superior State University graduates after ten years. ($42,600 vs. $40,300)
  • Lake Superior State University students graduate with a $793 lower median federal student loan debt than SAU graduates. ($23,250 vs. $24,043)
  • Lake Superior State University graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans than SAU graduates. ($240 vs. $248)
  • More SAU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lake Superior State University students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 57%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/