Skip to content

Lake Superior State University vs Spring Arbor University

What would these two cost your family?

Your family’s income

Pick one to see what families like yours paid at each. Source: College Scorecard.

Lake Superior State University is a public university in Sault Ste Marie, MI. Spring Arbor University is a private university in Spring Arbor, MI. Spring Arbor University admits about 52% of applicants and Lake Superior State University about 68%, making Spring Arbor University the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $12,822 a year at Lake Superior State University after aid, and about $19,353 at Spring Arbor University. About 61% of students graduate at Spring Arbor University, compared with 54% at Lake Superior State University. Ten years after enrolling, Spring Arbor University alumni earn a median of about $51,732, against $49,045 for Lake Superior State University.

See which of these two fits you, and what each would actually cost you.

Start the free quiz

Lake Superior State University

Sault Ste Marie, MI · Public

Spring Arbor University

Spring Arbor, MI · Private
At a glance
Type
Public
Private
Location
Sault Ste Marie, MI
Spring Arbor, MI
Setting
Suburban
Rural
Undergraduates
1,325
1,010
Acceptance rate
68%
52%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.44–3.94
3.46–3.96
SAT (middle 50%)
1000–1225
1010–1240
ACT (middle 50%)
19–26
17–25
Test policy
Test blind
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$12,822
$19,353
Full cost / yr
$27,154
$44,703
In-state tuition
$14,890
$34,014
Out-of-state tuition
$14,890
$34,014
Application fee
Not reported
$30
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$3,516
$14,530
$30k - $48k
$9,226
$15,697
$48k - $75k
$10,422
$16,197
$75k - $110k
$14,541
$19,358
Over $110k
$20,321
$21,370
Outcomes
Graduation rate
54%
61%
Freshman retention
79%
77%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$42,767
$45,592
Median earnings (10 yr)
$49,045
$51,732
Median debt at graduation
$23,250
$26,375
Student body
Pell grant recipients
27%
29%
First-generation students
33%
35%
International students
8%
4%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Rolling
Rolling

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Lake Superior State University or Spring Arbor University harder to get into?
Spring Arbor University is harder to get into. It admits about 52% of applicants, compared with 68% at Lake Superior State University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Lake Superior State University or Spring Arbor University?
Lake Superior State University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $12,822 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $19,353 at Spring Arbor University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Lake Superior State University and Spring Arbor University?
Before aid, Lake Superior State University costs about $27,154 a year and Spring Arbor University about $44,703. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Lake Superior State University or Spring Arbor University?
Lake Superior State University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $3,516 there, against about $14,530 at Spring Arbor University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Lake Superior State University or Spring Arbor University?
Lake Superior State University is the larger of the two, with about 1,325 undergraduates against 1,010 at Spring Arbor University.
Does Lake Superior State University or Spring Arbor University have a better graduation rate?
Spring Arbor University has the higher graduation rate, at about 61% against 54% at Lake Superior State University.
Do graduates of Lake Superior State University or Spring Arbor University earn more?
Spring Arbor University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $51,732 ten years after enrolling, against about $49,045 for Lake Superior State University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Lake Superior State University and Spring Arbor University require SAT or ACT scores?
Lake Superior State University is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. Spring Arbor University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Lake Superior State University and Spring Arbor University look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1000–1225 at Lake Superior State University and 1010–1240 at Spring Arbor University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.

1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school