Michigan Technological University (Michigan Tech) was established in 1885 as the Michigan Mining School, with the primary goal of training mining engineers to support the local copper industry in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Initially, the institution operated with four faculty members and 23 students on the second floor of the Houghton Fire Hall. Over the years, it evolved into a comprehensive technological university, now offering a wide array of programs across various disciplines.

Mission

Michigan Tech is committed to creating solutions for society’s challenges by delivering action-based undergraduate and graduate education, discovering new knowledge through research, and launching new technologies through innovation. ​

Vision

The university aspires to be a globally recognized technological institution that educates students, advances knowledge, and innovates to improve the quality of life and promote mutual respect for all people within the state, the nation, and the global community. 

Strategic Goals

Michigan Tech aims to accomplish its mission through interdisciplinary education, research, and engagement with partners to advance sustainable economic prosperity, health and safety, ethical conduct, and responsible use of resources. The university focuses on education, scholarship, and people, supported by revenues from state, federal, corporate, and philanthropic sources. ​

Campus and Location

Situated in Houghton, Michigan, the main campus spans 925 acres on a bluff overlooking Portage Lake. The university’s location in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula provides a unique environment for both academic pursuits and outdoor recreational activities. ​

Student Life

Michigan Tech offers a vibrant campus life with more than 200 student organizations, including various fraternities and sororities. The university is also known for its traditions such as K-Day, Homecoming, Parade of Nations, Winter Carnival, and Spring Fling, which foster a strong sense of community among students. ​