Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Sault Ste Marie, Michigan
68% Acceptance Rate
Lake Superior State University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
68%Acceptance Rate
3.2Avg GPA
1113Avg SAT
$25,757Annual Cost
$49,045Grad Salary
29.1%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
68%
Avg GPA
3.2
Avg SAT
1113
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1073–1143
Avg Net Price
$14,368
Need-Based Aid
29.1% receive Pell
Lake Superior State University is a public institution in Michigan that offers a diverse array of undergraduate and graduate degree programs in a unique, nature-integrated setting. Known for its commitment to academic excellence, hands-on learning, and career preparation, the university provides a supportive campus community that encourages students to excel. Its focus on providing a high-value, accessible, and practical education makes it a reliable choice for students seeking to reach their academic and career goals.
Lake Superior State University Acceptance Rate
Lake Superior State University is moderately selective. 68% of applicants are admitted, with room for a well-rounded, if imperfect, transcript.
What Lake Superior State University Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 68% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.20 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.00 – 3.19
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.75
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Lake Superior State University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for Lake Superior State University is December 15 for Spring applicants, with additional plans listed below.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 127 days left — Spring
Spring
December 15
Fall Priority
March 1
Fall Final
August 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (December 15, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Lake Superior State University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Lake Superior State University is 3.2. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 2.90–3.2 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.40–3.60.Lake Superior State University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.20 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.00 – 3.19
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.80 – 2.99
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.79
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Launched the nation's first Cannabis Chemistry program in 2019
- Fisheries and Wildlife Management concentrations satisfy certification requirements for the American Fisheries Society or The Wildlife Society
- New accelerated MS in Fisheries and Wildlife Management launched in 2025, building directly on undergraduate training
- Located on the Canadian border in Sault Ste. Marie, MI, with roughly 91% acceptance rate
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Lake Superior State University
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Lake Superior State University's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Lake Superior State University Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Lake Superior State University is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Lake Superior State University Without SAT or ACT?
Lake Superior State University neither requires nor recommends test scores. Submit yours only if it's above the state or national average. Otherwise, leaving it off works in your favor.
Lake Superior State University Average SAT Score: 1113
The average SAT score of admitted students at Lake Superior State University is 1113 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1113 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1143 SAT) to stand out. Below average? Lake Superior State University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1073, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Lake Superior State University. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1113 | 1073 | 1143 |
Below 1073, you're behind most admitted students; at 1143 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1100
Can I get into Lake Superior State University with a 1150 SAT?
A 1150 SAT puts you ahead of most of Lake Superior State University's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Lake Superior State University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Lake Superior State University takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Cannabis Chemistry/Business applicants: name the program's actual first-mover history
LSSU launched the nation's first Cannabis Chemistry program in 2019. Naming this specifically in your essay signals you've researched the program's real history, not just noticed it exists.
Fisheries/Wildlife applicants: choose your concentration around the certification you want
Completing the Fisheries Management or Wildlife Management concentration satisfies certification requirements from the American Fisheries Society or The Wildlife Society respectively. Pick your concentration with that specific credential in mind from day one.
Ask about the new accelerated MS pathway if research interests you
The 2025-launched accelerated MS in Fisheries and Wildlife Management moves directly from undergraduate training into advanced research through LSSU's Center for Freshwater Research and Education - a real structural advantage if you know you want research experience.
Ask about cross-border research tied to your program
LSSU sits directly on the Canadian border in Sault Ste. Marie, creating research access that a similarly sized Midwest school elsewhere wouldn't have. Ask specifically what cross-border opportunities exist for your field.
Expert Insight:
Applicants sometimes choose a natural resources program here on general reputation without confirming which specific concentration satisfies professional certification. Ask directly which courses are required for the American Fisheries Society or Wildlife Society certification you actually want before building your schedule.
Lake Superior State University Profile
Full Name
Lake Superior State University
City
Sault Ste Marie
State
Michigan
ZIP Code
49783
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Lake Superior State University Degree Worth It?
Whether Lake Superior State University is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
The average household income among admitted students is $53,600, with a graduate unemployment rate of 4.55%.
How much does a degree from Lake Superior State University Cost?
The sticker price is $25,757/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $14,368.
29.1% of students receive a Pell Grant and 43.5% take federal loans at Lake Superior State University. File your FAFSA early and list Lake Superior State University as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Lake Superior State University Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $49,045. That's about 21% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Lake Superior State University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
| Pacific Union College | Angwin, CA | 1093 | 22 |
| Fort Lewis College | Durango, CO | 1084 | 20 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Central Connecticut State University | New Britain, CT | 1091 | 24 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Lake Superior State University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Lake Superior State University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| University of New Haven | West Haven, CT | 1190 | NA |
Degree Programs at Lake Superior State University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Lake Superior State University Admissions
Median earnings for Lake Superior State University graduates sit around $49,045 a year.
At about $25,757 a year, Lake Superior State University is on the more affordable end.
About 29.1% receive a Pell Grant at Lake Superior State University. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 68%, Lake Superior State University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Lake Superior State University average a 3.2 GPA.
Lake Superior State University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 2.9 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.8, Lake Superior State University becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Lake Superior State University — aim above 1113, ideally within the 1073–1143 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Lake Superior State University is December 15 for Spring applicants.
The application fee is 35. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is December 15, 2026. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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