Michigan Technological University combines accessible 87.9% admission rates with exceptional technical career outcomes. As a Selective Achievers institution, the university produces $13,958 in earnings beyond expectations while maintaining reasonable debt levels, creating strong long-term returns for students in engineering and technology disciplines.
With top-tier results, driven by exceptional long-term earnings and strong career outcomes in technical fields
With above average performance, indicating moderate costs relative to outcomes achieved
With modestly below average performance, reflecting lower enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students compared to typical public institutions
With well above average performance, reflecting the institution's ability to generate earnings growth despite serving a more traditional student population
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Top-tier return on investment in technical fields
Michigan Technological University ranks #210 nationally in Azimuth's analysis, with return performance at the 95.7th percentile leading its institutional strengths. Located in Houghton, Michigan, this medium-sized public university maintains open access with an 87.9% acceptance rate while delivering exceptional post-graduation outcomes.
Michigan Tech enrolls 18.2% Pell-eligible students and 18.5% first-generation students, placing it modestly below average on access measures but compensating with strong earnings performance. Graduates earn $13,958 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 90.1st percentile nationally.
Median earnings reach $78,198 ten years after enrollment, placing Michigan Tech in the 92nd percentile for long-term earnings. Compared to a peer median of $50,116, graduates earn $28,082 more annually.
This combination of accessible admissions, controlled costs, and exceptional technical outcomes places Michigan Tech firmly within the Selective Achievers quadrant, where institutions deliver strong post-graduation results while serving a more traditional student population focused on career-oriented technical education.
Michigan Technological University delivers exceptional earnings outcomes relative to its accessible admission profile and moderate costs. Graduates earn a median of $78,198 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 92nd percentile nationally and exceeding the peer median by $28,082 annually.
Earnings performance shows strong growth from $69,672 at six years to $78,198 at ten years, representing 12.2% growth over this period. The institution generates $13,958 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it in the 90.1st percentile nationally on this measure and demonstrating top-tier performance in translating educational investment into career outcomes.
Students seeking strong engineering and technology careers at an accessible public university. Well-suited for those prioritizing return on investment over selectivity, with Michigan Tech delivering top-tier earnings outcomes despite an 87.9% acceptance rate.
Best fit for students who value technical rigor and post-graduation earning power in STEM fields.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
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This is the Michigan Technological University hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/michigan-technological-university/analysis.
Computer Engineering, General.
73 graduates
Computer Science.
71 graduates
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
77 graduates
Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering.
46 graduates
Chemical Engineering, Other.
90 graduates
Michigan Technological University offers 19 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data, concentrated heavily in engineering and technology disciplines. Computer Engineering ranks #44 nationally and #2 in Michigan, producing 73 graduates with exceptional median earnings of $94,603 and a value score of 65.0.
Computer Science ranks #124 nationally but #2 in Michigan, graduating 71 students with median earnings of $90,596. Mechanical Engineering represents the institution's largest program, graduating 283 students annually with median earnings of $82,648 and ranking #76 nationally and #6 in Michigan.
Bioengineering ranks #38 nationally and #1 in Michigan, graduating 46 students with earnings of $86,435. Chemical Engineering ranks #43 nationally and #2 in Michigan, with 90 graduates earning $86,338.
The concentration in STEM fields reflects Michigan Tech's mission focus, with engineering programs representing the majority of graduates. Several programs achieve top-three rankings within Michigan, demonstrating competitive positioning within the state's technical education landscape.
The institution's value scores consistently exceed 40 across engineering disciplines, indicating strong return on investment across the program portfolio.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Michigan Technological University's published cost of attendance reaches $32,550 annually, including $18,392 in-state tuition, $12,774 for room and board, and $1,200 for books and supplies. Out-of-state students face tuition of $41,340, significantly increasing total costs.
However, the average student pays just $15,729 after financial aid, representing savings of $16,821 from the sticker price through need-based and merit aid programs. This net price of $15,729 compares favorably to the peer median of $14,093, placing Michigan Tech $1,636 above similar public technical institutions but still within reasonable range for engineering-focused education.
The financial aid system reduces costs substantially for most students, with aid covering more than half of published costs on average. Michigan Tech's aid approach appears designed to make technical education accessible while recognizing the strong career outcomes that justify educational investment.
The gap between sticker price and net price demonstrates significant institutional aid commitment, though students should plan for the actual net costs rather than published figures when making enrollment decisions. The moderate premium over peer institutions reflects both Michigan Tech's strong outcomes and its specialized technical mission requiring substantial laboratory and equipment investments.
Michigan Technological University graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth and strong career trajectories across technical fields. Median earnings progress from $69,672 six years after enrollment to $75,629 at eight years and $78,198 at ten years, representing steady 12.2% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on robust ten-year cohorts totaling 1,751 graduates, providing high confidence in reported figures. Graduates earn $13,958 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing Michigan Tech in the 90.1st percentile for earnings uplift and demonstrating the institution's effectiveness in career preparation.
Low-income graduates earn $63,400, ranking at the 92nd percentile nationally and indicating that strong outcomes extend across economic backgrounds. Earnings span from $48,944 at the 25th percentile to $102,434 at the 75th percentile, reflecting the technical nature of most programs where career outcomes cluster in higher-earning engineering and technology sectors.
Approximately 23.7% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating the institution primarily serves students seeking immediate workforce entry in technical fields. The earnings distribution shows a 2.1:1 ratio between top and bottom quartiles, reflecting relatively consistent outcomes across Michigan Tech's engineering-focused program portfolio.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The University Of Texas At Tyler Similar quality tier (#215 ranked) | TX | 92% | $57,053 | #215 | Compare |
William Paterson University Of New Jersey Similar quality tier (#216 ranked) | NJ | 93% | $57,780 | #216 | Compare |
Florida Gulf Coast University Similar quality tier (#212 ranked) | FL | 77% | $54,560 | #212 | Compare |
University Of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Similar quality tier in Midwest (#211 ranked) | WI | 88% | $54,990 | #211 | Compare |
University Of Nevada-Reno Similar quality tier (#217 ranked) | NV | 85% | $60,614 | #217 | Compare |
Michigan Technological University admits 87.9% of applicants, meaning roughly 9 in 10 applicants receive offers of admission. This places Michigan Tech in the Open Access category, making it significantly more accessible than typical selective institutions.
The peer median admission rate of 84.6% shows Michigan Tech admits slightly more students than similar public technical universities, though the difference is modest at 3.4 percentage points. This accessibility level contrasts sharply with elite engineering schools that often admit fewer than 20% of applicants, making Michigan Tech an excellent option for students seeking strong technical outcomes without facing extremely competitive admission processes.
The high acceptance rate reflects the university's mission to serve students interested in STEM careers rather than creating artificial scarcity through selective admissions. However, students should recognize that open admission does not mean automatic success—Michigan Tech maintains rigorous academic standards once enrolled, with retention and completion rates indicating the demanding nature of technical coursework.
For students building college lists, Michigan Tech serves as an accessible option that delivers outcomes comparable to more selective technical universities, making it valuable as both a target and safety school for STEM-focused applicants. The combination of accessible admission with strong career preparation makes Michigan Tech particularly appealing for students who want technical career outcomes without the uncertainty of highly selective admission processes.
