Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, Michigan · Public · 72.1% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 52/100 · Below Average Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
Saginaw Valley State University is a public institution in University Center, Michigan, enrolling about 5,989 undergraduates. In-state tuition is $12,930 and average net price is $10,775 - among the more affordable public options in Michigan. Despite this, SVSU earns a Below Average Value ROI score of 52, constrained by a 48.3% completion rate, a 64.0% repayment rate, and a 0.71 debt-to-earnings ratio at the institutional level. The earnings premium of 39.3% is solid and six-year median earnings of $35,400 are modest but grow to $51,955 at ten years. SVSU's engineering, nursing, and rehabilitation programs are bright spots, posting B to B+ grades, while arts, kinesiology, and some humanities programs carry D grades. The institution is located in Michigan's Great Lakes Bay Region, with proximity to manufacturing, health-care, and education sectors that align well with SVSU's strongest programs.
Saginaw Valley State University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $12,930/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $30,450/yr |
| Average net price | $10,775/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $43,100 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $51,955 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $35,400 |
| Median debt at graduation | $25,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $265 |
| Estimated payback period | 10.8 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 48.3% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 5,989 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The first number you'll see is the sticker price: $12,930/year ($30,450/year out-of-state). Here's the part that matters - almost nobody pays that. After grants, scholarships, and aid, the average student here pays a net price of $10,775/year, or roughly $43,100 over four years. That's the number to plan around.
What you actually pay depends a lot on what your family earns. Families making under $30,000/year pay an average of $9,844/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $24,103/year.
Most students borrow to get here. The median graduate leaves owing $25,000 in federal loans, which works out to about $265 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Hold that up against the $51,955 the typical graduate earns ten years out: the debt-to-earnings ratio comes to 0.71, within the range advisors call workable but worth keeping an eye on.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,844 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $19,711 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $20,053 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $18,879 |
| $110,001+ | $24,103 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families under $30,000 pay $9,844 net. At that cost and with $25,000 in median debt, the financial stakes are manageable if the student graduates. The 48.3% completion rate is the dominant risk. Low-income students should actively engage with SVSU's retention resources from the first semester.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $30,001 - $75,000 band pays $19,711 - $20,053 - significantly higher than the lowest-income bracket, which suggests limited aid expansion in this range. At $20,000 net, program selection matters even more: engineering and nursing justify the cost comfortably; psychology and design do not.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Above $75,000, families pay $18,879 - $24,103. The modest cost variation across income bands above $30,000 reflects SVSU's limited upper-income aid. At these net prices, SVSU remains competitive with Michigan's regional publics and offers a clear value advantage over private alternatives.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Saginaw Valley State University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $81,103 | B |
| Teacher Education | $48,561 | D |
| Special Education and Teaching | $50,078 | C |
| Social Work | $56,961 | D |
| Teacher Education, Subject-Specific | $49,761 | C |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | $70,081 | B+ |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $59,042 | C |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $50,816 | D |
| Mechanical Engineering | $83,873 | B+ |
| Biology | $54,038 | D |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering graduates 52 students with year-one earnings of $76,823 and $83,873 at four years, earning a B+ grade and 0.35 debt-to-earnings ratio. Michigan's automotive and manufacturing corridor provides direct employer pipelines. At a $10,775 net price, SVSU mechanical engineering is among the best affordable engineering bets in Michigan.
Registered Nursing
Nursing is SVSU's most common program at 168 graduates with year-one earnings of $76,244 and $81,103 at four years. A B grade and 0.37 debt-to-earnings ratio confirm solid performance. Michigan's ongoing nursing demand in rural and mid-size markets like the Great Lakes Bay Region means consistent placement for graduates.
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions
Rehabilitation and therapeutic professions graduates 56 students with year-one earnings of $59,937 and a B+ grade at a 0.31 debt-to-earnings ratio - among SVSU's most efficient programs by debt burden. The four-year figure of $70,081 confirms career progression in an expanding field driven by Michigan's aging population.
Computer and Information Sciences
CIS graduates 26 students with year-one earnings of $68,037 and $90,681 at four years. A B grade and 0.39 debt-to-earnings ratio reflect strong ROI. Michigan's tech sector growth outside Detroit and SVSU's computer science curriculum provide a competitive path for students who cannot access more expensive programs at Michigan State or University of Michigan.
Teacher Education
Teacher Education is SVSU's second-most common program at 110 graduates, earning a D ROI grade: year-one earnings of $43,151, $48,561 at four years, and a 0.72 debt-to-earnings ratio against $31,000 median debt. Michigan's teacher shortage creates demand, but the high debt load relative to entry-level teacher salaries creates early financial strain. State loan forgiveness programs should be explored.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 60.4% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 64.0% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 54.8% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 60.9% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How Saginaw Valley State University’s cost and outcomes have moved across College Scorecard releases (2009-2023).
Average Net Price
Completion Rate
Median Earnings, 10 Years After Entry (as reported)
Earnings reflect borrowers measured 10 years after entry and publish on an irregular cadence with a multi-year reporting lag, so this series shows only the years the Department of Education reported - the data is never interpolated.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, release years shown. Net price and completion are reported annually.
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 72.1% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 440-570 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 480-600 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 18-26 |
| Enrollment | 5,989 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 35.2% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $9,515 |
SVSU accepts about 72% of applicants. Middle 50% SAT runs 440 - 570 math and 480 - 600 reading; ACT composite 18 - 26. Merit scholarships are available and can reduce the already-modest net price. Nursing admission is competitive within the institution; students should ask about the nursing-specific admissions criteria and waitlist status.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Peers include Central Michigan University and Eastern Michigan University - both larger regional Michigan publics. SVSU's mechanical engineering outcomes compare favorably to Eastern Michigan on a cost-per-outcome basis. CMU's broader program range and higher graduation rate give it an edge on aggregate metrics. SVSU's nursing and rehabilitation programs differentiate it in health-science outcomes.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saginaw Valley State University (this school) | 52 | $10,775 | $51,955 |
| Purdue University Northwest | 55 | $6,079 | $48,318 |
| SUNY Buffalo State University | 53 | $11,346 | $52,334 |
| Central Michigan University | 51 | $17,597 | $55,874 |
| Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania | 51 | $19,608 | $53,032 |
| Eastern Michigan University | 42 | $15,407 | $51,793 |
Who Thrives Here
SVSU fits Michigan students who want an affordable public path into engineering, nursing, or health sciences. The 72% admissions rate is moderately accessible. Students entering mechanical engineering or nursing can expect strong first-year earnings against manageable debt levels. Students drawn to psychology, design, kinesiology, or social work face documented D-grade ROI and should weigh long-term income relative to Michigan's public school cost carefully. The institution's close ties to manufacturing and automotive industries are an asset for engineering graduates.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The money case for Saginaw Valley State University is mixed, and worth a hard look before you commit. At $10,775 per year after aid, the typical graduate earns $51,955 ten years after entry, which means it takes about 10.8 years to earn the cost back - slower than most four-year schools. Whether it's worth it comes down to your major and your aid package.
What it has going for it: a strong earnings premium over high school graduates. What to keep an eye on: its 48.3% graduation rate, high debt relative to what graduates earn, concerning loan repayment rates.
Median debt of $25,000 against $51,955 in earnings is reasonable, though your major matters a lot here. Graduates in higher-earning fields will see the better end of this.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.