Students at Michigan Technological University achieve some of the strongest financial outcomes among public universities, earning nearly $14,000 more than similar students at other institutions.
This specialized technical university consistently delivers top-tier earnings that place graduates in the upper ranks nationally for both expected and actual career returns.
Azimuth ranks Michigan Technological University 19th out of 406 public four-year institutions nationwide, placing it in the 95th percentile for overall value. What sets Michigan Tech apart is its laser focus on engineering and technical education, which translates directly into exceptional long-term financial outcomes for graduates. The university delivers earnings that rank in the top 7% nationally, with graduates earning far more than similar students at other institutions.
Michigan Tech operates as a specialized technical university rather than a broad-access institution, serving about 18% Pell-eligible students and maintaining selective admission standards. This focused approach pays dividends in career outcomes, with graduates earning a median of $78,198 ten years after enrollment and seeing earnings beyond expectations of nearly $14,000 compared with peers at similar institutions.
Located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Michigan Tech combines the intimate scale of a medium-sized university with the specialized expertise of a premier technical institution. For students who know they want to pursue engineering, computer science, or related technical fields, few public universities can match Michigan Tech's combination of strong outcomes, reasonable costs, and focused academic environment.
Michigan Technological University's program portfolio centers on engineering and technical disciplines that consistently deliver strong career outcomes. Mechanical Engineering dominates with 283 graduates earning median salaries of $71,637, creating the highest aggregate return due to its combination of large enrollment and solid pay. Computer Engineering offers the highest individual earnings at $78,172 for 73 graduates, while Chemical Engineering provides strong outcomes around $70,536 for 90 students annually.
Even the university's lowest-earning major, Civil Engineering, delivers competitive salaries at $63,217, demonstrating the consistent strength across Michigan Tech's technical curriculum. This concentrated focus on high-demand STEM fields explains why the university consistently outperforms earnings expectations and maintains such strong long-term financial outcomes for graduates.
As a specialized technical institution, Michigan Tech graduates substantial cohorts in core engineering disciplines where employer demand remains consistently strong. The university's focused approach creates deep expertise in fields that translate directly to career success, with alumni networks and industry connections that support job placement and career advancement in engineering, technology, and related technical professions.
Michigan Technological University delivers exceptional long-term financial returns that rank among the very best public universities nationwide. Graduates earn a median of $78,198 ten years after enrollment, placing the university in the top 7% nationally for earnings outcomes. Even more impressive, Michigan Tech graduates earn nearly $14,000 more than similar students at comparable institutions, reflecting one of the strongest earnings beyond expectations advantages we track.
The university's program portfolio drives these outstanding results. Mechanical Engineering, the largest program with 283 graduates, combines substantial enrollment with strong median earnings of $71,637, making it the highest aggregate return major. Computer Engineering graduates earn the highest individual salaries at $78,172 early in their careers, while Chemical Engineering majors earn around $70,536. Even Civil Engineering, the university's lowest-earning major, still delivers solid outcomes at $63,217, demonstrating the consistent strength across Michigan Tech's technical programs.
This earnings performance reflects Michigan Tech's concentrated focus on high-demand STEM fields where employers actively recruit and starting salaries remain consistently strong. The university's specialized technical curriculum and industry connections help explain why graduates consistently outperform earnings expectations by such wide margins, creating reliable pathways to upper-middle-class careers in engineering, technology, and related fields.
Affordability at Michigan Technological University varies significantly by family income but remains manageable for most students. Low-income families pay about $5,021 annually, well below national averages and making the university accessible to Pell-eligible students. Middle-income families see costs around $10,202 per year, still reasonable for a specialized technical university, while higher-income families pay about $24,344, reflecting the full cost of Michigan Tech's focused engineering education.
Debt levels align with the university's strong earning potential. Typical graduates leave with about $24,990 in federal student loan debt, and families who choose Parent PLUS loans borrow an average of $24,705. While these amounts are moderate compared to many technical universities, they become highly manageable given Michigan Tech's exceptional graduate earnings. The university maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that virtually all borrowers successfully manage their debt obligations.
What makes Michigan Tech particularly sustainable financially is the strong alignment between borrowing and earning capacity. With median graduate earnings approaching $78,200 ten years out, most borrowers can comfortably handle standard repayment schedules. The university's loan repayment data shows that borrowers pay down balances faster than national averages, with strong performance across all repayment milestones, reflecting the financial stability that comes with Michigan Tech's career-focused education.
Michigan Technological University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
