Overview
Enrollment
Lake Superior State University sits on the former grounds of Fort Brady in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, positioned along the St. Mary's River at the Canadian border in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Established in 1946 as a branch campus of Michigan College of Mining and Technology, LSSU became an independent college in 1970 and gained university status in 1987. The 115-acre campus combines historic limestone buildings from its military past with modern academic facilities, including specialized laboratories for fisheries, environmental science, and robotics engineering. LSSU maintains a focus on programs in fisheries and wildlife management, criminal justice, nursing, and engineering, while offering small class sizes and guaranteed student housing in its five residence halls. The university's location provides direct access to the Great Lakes ecosystem, supporting its renowned freshwater research programs and natural resources curriculum.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Lake Superior State University is rated within the lower 44% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 5 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Lake Superior State University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#706 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#243 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#20 in Best Colleges in Michigan
#10 in Best Public Colleges in Michigan
#40 in Best Value Colleges in Michigan
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1000/1225 |
| ACT | 19/26 |
| GPA | 3.2 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | - |
| Applicant Competition | Low |
| Application Fee | $0 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $2,000 |
| Other Fees | $298 |
| Room and Board | $11,207 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $1,510 |
| Total One Year Cost | $28,983 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting | 21% |
| Health Professions | 18% |
| Business | 14% |
| Education | 8% |
| Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies | 5% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Lake Superior State University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=170639 IPEDS survey data for Lake Superior State University.
Current students may use the Lake Superior State University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025