A new national study on the value of a college education placed Lawrence Technological University fourth in Michigan and in the top 7 percent of 4,500 colleges surveyed by the U.S. Department of Education for its 2019 College Scorecard.

The government data was analyzed by Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce. Using a complex calculation of net present value of a college degree, a Lawrence Tech graduate can expect a net-present-value return of $1,124,000 over 40 years on the investment in a college degree. That places the university fourth among Michigan colleges, just ahead of Michigan State University. It ranks first in the three-county Metro Detroit area.

The study ranked private universities ahead of public universities nationwide in the career-long value of a degree. Three of the top 10 colleges were specialty pharmacy schools in New York, Missouri, and Massachusetts. Two others were maritime academies in Maine and New York.

“The results of this study emphasize Lawrence Tech’s commitment to preparing its graduates for productive careers,” LTU President Virinder Moudgil said. “Our graduates are ready to hit the ground running in their first job and usually that will result in greater earning power in the years to come. A Lawrence Tech degree gives our graduates a head start on their peers at most other universities.”