Students at Kettering College achieve strong earnings outcomes that place the institution among the top performers nationally for long-term financial returns.
Graduates benefit from specialized health professions training that leads directly to stable, well-compensated careers in high-demand healthcare fields.
Kettering College is a small private nonprofit institution in Ohio that specializes in health professions education. While comprehensive rankings don't apply to this specialized college, its graduates achieve strong earnings outcomes that place it in the 84th percentile nationally for return on investment. The institution serves a focused mission, preparing students primarily for nursing and allied health careers with median 10-year earnings of $67,492.
What distinguishes Kettering College is its ability to deliver strong financial outcomes through specialized health professions programs. About 24% of students receive Pell Grants and 40% are first-generation college students, showing meaningful access for students from diverse economic backgrounds. The college's concentrated program portfolio creates clear career pathways, with Adult Health Nursing representing the largest and most successful program by total economic impact.
As a specialized health professions college, Kettering offers the focused training and industry connections that lead directly to stable, well-compensated careers in healthcare. For students who know they want to work in nursing or related health fields, this targeted approach often provides better career preparation and financial outcomes than broader liberal arts programs at larger institutions.
Kettering College's program portfolio centers on nursing and health professions, creating a focused academic environment where nearly all students prepare for healthcare careers. Adult Health Nursing stands out as both the largest program and the strongest economic performer, graduating 108 students annually with median earnings of $57,955. This program represents the college's core strength and demonstrates how specialized training can lead to immediate career placement and competitive compensation.
Other health professions programs complement the nursing focus, with various clinical sciences producing graduates who earn around $52,941 early in their careers. The college's concentrated approach means that students benefit from shared clinical facilities, industry partnerships, and faculty expertise that spans the full range of healthcare specialties. This integration creates a learning environment where students can explore different health professions paths while building the foundational knowledge needed for any healthcare career.
As a specialized institution, Kettering College graduates a focused cohort each year, which creates strong alumni networks within Ohio's healthcare systems and beyond. Employers know what to expect from Kettering graduates, and the college's reputation for producing job-ready healthcare professionals helps ensure consistent placement rates and starting salaries across all programs.
Graduates of Kettering College see strong long-term earnings that reflect the institution's focus on high-demand healthcare professions. Ten years after enrollment, they earn a median of $67,492, placing the college in the 84th percentile nationally for earnings outcomes. This performance is particularly impressive given the college's specialized mission and relatively small size, with graduates earning nearly $10,000 more than similar students at comparable institutions.
The strongest financial outcomes come from the college's core nursing programs. Adult Health Nursing, which graduates about 108 students annually, produces median earnings of $57,955 and represents the highest aggregate return program at the institution. Other health professions programs also deliver solid outcomes, with graduates in various clinical sciences earning around $52,941 early in their careers. These figures reflect the strong demand for healthcare professionals and the college's ability to prepare students for immediate entry into well-paying positions.
Kettering's specialized focus creates a clear advantage for students who know they want healthcare careers. Rather than offering dozens of majors with varying outcomes, the college concentrates on programs that consistently lead to stable, well-compensated employment. This targeted approach helps explain why graduates earn significantly more than expected compared with students at other small private colleges nationwide.
Kettering College maintains relatively consistent net prices across income levels, making it accessible to families from diverse economic backgrounds. Low-income students pay about $13,530 annually, while middle-income families see costs around $13,946 per year. Even high-income families pay $21,604, which represents reasonable pricing for a private specialized college focused on professional preparation.
The college's financial aid approach appears designed to keep costs manageable while maintaining program quality. With federal loan default rates at zero percent, Kettering demonstrates that its graduates can successfully manage their educational debt. The consistent pricing structure across income bands suggests the institution prioritizes affordability and access rather than maximizing revenue from higher-income families.
Debt levels align with the college's strong earnings outcomes. Typical graduates leave with about $23,500 in federal student loans, while families who choose Parent PLUS borrowing take on around $24,455. Given that graduates earn a median of $67,492 ten years out, these debt levels represent manageable obligations that most healthcare professionals can handle comfortably through standard repayment plans.
Kettering College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
