According to College Navigator (which is from the Natl Center for Education Statistics), the stats for Michigan Tech are a bit better that this – freshman retention rate is 87% (not 81%) and transfer-out rate is 22% (not 27%):
http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=michigan+technological&s=all&id=171128
Earlier posters are correct, though, regarding the definitely more engineering- and applied science-focused nature of Michigan Tech versus others. Also, Houghton, MI (on the Yoop) is quite remote for many people, which might come as somewhat of a shock to some who feel like it’s not really that far north. Winters are snowy and cold, which is BOSS for winter recreation but maybe not for everyone. (Non-winter natural recreation possibilities are awesome too.) Not all engineer-types who end up at MI Tech may be quite so into the outdoors…