At $14,582/yr net price, Saginaw Valley State University graduates earn $51,955/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $17,955/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $14,582 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $58,328 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $51,955/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$17,955/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 53.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $10,545/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $11,338/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,963/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $16,972/yr |
| $110,001+ | $18,491/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $90,637 | $38,219 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $78,343 | |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $73,378 | $26,679 |
| Computer Systems Analysis. | Bachelor | $64,990 | |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Master | $64,990 | $47,248 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $61,688 | $25,250 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $59,169 | $25,625 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $57,318 | |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $56,776 | $28,370 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Bachelor | $49,631 | $28,840 |
The Risk Factor
53.8% of students at Saginaw Valley State University graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Saginaw Valley State University gives you a solid financial return if you pick the right major, and a weak one if you don't. The median graduate out-earns the debt they carry, and at under $15,000 a year the price stays reasonable for a public four-year. But the median earnings figure hides a wide gap between programs, and your outcome depends almost entirely on which one you choose.
Engineering is where SVSU pays off. Electrical engineering graduates clear the high $70,000s, and mechanical engineering isn't far behind, both while carrying roughly the same $25,000-$27,000 debt load as everyone else. That means engineering students borrow the same but earn far more, which is the cleanest return on this campus. Nursing and the two computing programs land in the low $60,000s, a strong result for a mid-Michigan public school anchored to a manufacturing and healthcare economy.
The risk is the school's median, not its top. Half of all graduates earn under $52,000, and the programs pulling that number down aren't listed here, so you can't count on the engineering figures if you enroll in something else. A 54% graduation rate is the bigger concern: if you take six years or leave with debt and no degree, none of these salary numbers apply to you.
If you want engineering, nursing, or computing and can finish, SVSU is a smart-money choice, especially at the lower income tiers where net price drops to around $10,500. Families earning over $110,000 pay closer to $18,500, which still works for the technical majors but gets harder to justify for a lower-paying field. Look elsewhere if you're undecided or drawn to a major with no earnings data here, because the median tells you the payoff isn't guaranteed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Saginaw Valley State University worth the cost?
SVSU offers decent value with a net price of $14,582 and graduates earning $51,955 after 10 years. However, the 54% graduation rate is concerning and could impact your investment if you don't finish.
What are the best paying majors at Saginaw Valley State University?
Nursing programs lead with $90,637 median earnings, followed by electrical engineering at $78,343 and mechanical engineering at $73,378. These programs justify the cost better than most other majors at SVSU.
How much debt do Saginaw Valley State University graduates have?
The median debt is $25,000, which is manageable given the $51,955 average earnings after 10 years. This debt-to-income ratio is reasonable for most graduates.
Does Saginaw Valley State University have a good return on investment?
SVSU provides average ROI with affordable tuition but modest earnings outcomes. The low graduation rate of 54% is the biggest risk factor that could make your investment worthless if you don't complete your degree.