At $15,729/yr net price, Michigan Technological University graduates earn $78,198/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $44,198/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $15,729 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $62,916 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $78,198/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$44,198/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 68.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $24,990 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $5,021/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $6,773/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $10,202/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $16,222/yr |
| $110,001+ | $24,344/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering. | Master | $86,550 | |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $78,172 | $27,000 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $75,989 | $27,000 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $75,047 | $23,250 |
| Materials Engineering | Bachelor | $73,635 | $26,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $71,637 | $27,000 |
| Chemical Engineering. | Bachelor | $70,536 | $23,875 |
| Management Information Systems and Services. | Bachelor | $68,499 | $28,000 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering. | Bachelor | $66,461 | $27,000 |
| Civil Engineering. | Master | $66,244 |
The Risk Factor
68.7% of students at Michigan Technological University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 31% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Michigan Tech gives you a strong financial return, and the reason is simple: this is an engineering school where the top-paying majors are also the ones most students come for. A median of $78,198 ten years out against a median debt near $25,000 means you can clear what you borrowed in well under a year of post-graduation pay. That debt-to-earnings ratio is the kind most schools can't match.
The engineering majors carry the value here. Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Materials Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering all land graduates between $71,000 and $78,000, and the debt loads sit close together around $27,000. Even the lowest-earning of these top five pays off cleanly. Computer Science stands out slightly because its debt runs lower ($23,250) while earnings stay in the same range, so you keep more of what you make.
The risk is that Michigan Tech's payoff is tied tightly to technical fields. If you enroll and drift away from engineering or computing, the earnings math shifts and no bachelor-level data here promises the same return for other paths. The 68.7% graduation rate also means roughly a third of students don't finish in the expected window, and debt without a degree is the worst outcome. The 87.7% retention rate is a good sign you'll make it past year one.
On cost, the net price scales hard with income. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $5,000 a year. over $110,000, closer to $24,000. Lower-income families get a genuinely affordable engineering degree here. Higher-income families pay near full sticker, so the return depends on committing to a technical major.
Come here if you want engineering or computing. If you don't, look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Michigan Technological University worth the cost?
Michigan Tech offers solid ROI for STEM students, with engineering graduates earning $75,000-86,000 annually and relatively low debt at $25,000. However, the 69% graduation rate means significant dropout risk, and non-STEM programs may not justify the cost.
What majors at Michigan Technological University have the best return on investment?
Mechanical engineering leads at $86,550 average salary, followed by computer and electrical engineering in the mid-70s range. These programs make the $15,729 annual net price worthwhile, but liberal arts and business majors should consider cheaper alternatives.
How much debt do Michigan Technological University graduates typically have?
The median debt is $24,990, which is manageable for engineering graduates earning $75,000-86,000 but problematic for lower-paying majors. About one-third of students don't graduate, potentially leaving with debt and no degree.
Does Michigan Technological University provide good financial aid?
The net price of $15,729 is reasonable for a public university, especially for Michigan residents. However, with a 94% acceptance rate, merit aid is limited, and students should expect to pay close to the stated net price.