Kalamazoo College vs. Lake Superior State University

Should I go to Kalamazoo College or Lake Superior State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Kalamazoo College or Lake Superior State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Wooster Michigan Michigan State Oberlin St Olaf Denison WMU Northern Michigan University Beloit College Lawrence DePauw Earlham
Kalamazoo College vs. Lake Superior State University comparison
Kalamazoo College Lake Superior State University College 3 College 4
Kalamazoo College Lake Superior State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Kalamazoo College Lake Superior State University
Location Kalamazoo, MI Sault Ste Marie, MI
Setting Small City Remote Town
Enrollment 1,196 1,669
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #233 #706
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website kzoo.edu lssu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Kalamazoo College Lake Superior State University
Tuition (In State) $58,185 $13,968
Tuition (Out of State) $58,185 $13,968
Room & Board $12,084 $11,207
Avg Net Price $26,050 $14,345
Avg Grant Aid $45,123 $11,464
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 89%

Admission

Kalamazoo College Lake Superior State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,656 2,473
Admitted 2,787 1,682
Acceptance Rate 76.2% 68%
Enrolled % 13.3% 15.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.73 3.2
Typical High School Grades A- B
Admissions Standards Very High Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/26
SAT Range 1188/1373 1000/1225
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2026

Academics

Kalamazoo College Lake Superior State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (28%)
  • Biology (12%)
  • Physical Sciences (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (21%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)

Outcomes

Kalamazoo College Lake Superior State University
Graduation Rate 80% 35%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $54,400 $40,300
Making Student Loan Payments 81% 57%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,450 $23,250
Median Loan Payment $273 $240

Diversity

Kalamazoo College Lake Superior State University
% Men 1% 7%
% Women 1% 10%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 60% 80%
% Black 6% 1%
% Hispanic 10% 2%
% Native American 0% 8%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 0%
% International 7% 7%
% Unknown Race 6% 1%

Students

Kalamazoo College Lake Superior State University
% In-State 65% 85%
% Out-of-State 32% 8%

Campus

Kalamazoo College Lake Superior State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Lake Superior State University is larger than than Kalamazoo College based on total student enrollment (1,669 students vs. 1,196 students)

Kalamazoo College vs. Lake Superior State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kalamazoo College or Lake Superior State University?

  • Kalamazoo College is 316.6% more expensive to attend than Lake Superior State University for in-state tuition ($58,185.00 vs. $13,968.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 316.6% higher at Kalamazoo College than Lake Superior State University ($58,185.00 vs. $13,968.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Lake Superior State University than Kalamazoo College ($14,345 vs. $26,050)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lake Superior State University are 7.8% lower than costs at Kalamazoo College ($11,207 vs. $12,084)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Kalamazoo College than Lake Superior State University (98% vs. 89%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Kalamazoo College students is 293.6% larger than aid received Lake Superior State University ($45,123 vs. $11,464)

Kalamazoo College vs. Lake Superior State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Kalamazoo College or Lake Superior State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Lake Superior State University or Kalamazoo College .

  • Accepted freshman Kalamazoo College students have a 0.53 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Lake Superior State University (3.2)
  • Kalamazoo College has a higher acceptance rate (76.2%) than Lake Superior State University (68%)

Kalamazoo College vs. Lake Superior State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Kalamazoo College or Lake Superior State University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Lake Superior State University and Kalamazoo College.

  • The graduation rate at Kalamazoo College is higher than Lake Superior State University (80% vs. 35%)
  • Graduates from Kalamazoo College earn on average $14,100 more per year than Lake Superior State University graduates after ten years. ($54,400 vs. $40,300)
  • Lake Superior State University students graduate with a $3,200 lower median federal student loan debt than Kalamazoo College graduates. ($23,250 vs. $26,450)
  • Lake Superior State University graduates are paying $33 less per month on federal student loans than Kalamazoo College graduates. ($240 vs. $273)
  • More Kalamazoo College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lake Superior State University students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 57%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/