Saginaw Valley State University
Saginaw Valley State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Saginaw Valley State University at a Glance
Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) is a public university in University Center, Michigan, United States. It was founded in 1963 as Saginaw Valley College and is the newest public university in Michigan. Its 748-acre campus is in Kochville Township, approximately 5.5 miles (8.9 km) north of downtown Saginaw, Michigan. SVSU offers over 100 academic programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in its five colleges, with approximately 8,500 students at its main campus in University Center.
1963
63 years old
$120M
$120.4 million (2025)
6,406
5,628 undergrad · 563 grad
Identity
Is Saginaw Valley State University Worth It?
Saginaw Valley State University delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $10,775/year, it's priced 47% below average, while graduates go on to earn $51,955 — near the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 51% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How Saginaw Valley State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #21 of 124 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #2 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #3 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #4 | Shasta College | 89 | $2,878 | $39,269 |
| #5 | Northwest Florida State College | 88 | $4,571 | $39,664 |
| #6 | Purdue University Northwest | 86 | $6,079 | $48,318 |
| #21 | Saginaw Valley State University | 61 | $10,775 | $51,955 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Saginaw Valley State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in MI.
Best Programs at Saginaw Valley State University
The highest-earning program at Saginaw Valley State University is Mechanical Engineering at $71,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $22,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Mechanical Engineering graduate from Saginaw Valley State University earns $71,600, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $22,200. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Mechanical Engineering graduates carry $25,106 in median debt vs. $28,000 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $10,775/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | $71,600 | $71,600 | $25,106 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $59,900 | $59,900 | $25,500 |
| Computer Systems Analysis | $58,900 | $58,900 | $28,427 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $57,100 | $57,100 | $31,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $42,300 | $42,300 | $25,155 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $41,200 | $41,200 | $23,473 |
| Marketing | $39,800 | $39,800 | $26,600 |
| Chemistry | $39,700 | $39,700 | $18,511 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $36,900 | $36,900 | $27,916 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $34,000 | $34,000 | $31,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $33,900 | $33,900 | $31,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $32,300 | $32,300 | $28,847 |
| Social Work | $32,300 | $32,300 | $30,747 |
| Biology, General | $29,800 | $29,800 | $25,500 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $29,100 | $29,100 | $31,000 |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | $28,800 | $28,800 | $28,000 |
| History | $28,500 | $28,500 | $31,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $28,300 | $28,300 | $29,125 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $24,000 | $24,000 | $29,075 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $23,300 | $23,300 | $27,750 |
| Psychology, General | $22,200 | $22,200 | $28,000 |
Similar Colleges in MI
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- University Center, MI
- Student Body
- 5,989 students
- Admission Rate
- 72%
- Graduation Rate
- 51%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $10,775
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $51,955
- Median Student Debt
- $25,000