Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Kettering University #642 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $99,943, placing Kettering University in the 94.0 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Kettering University sits in the 98.1 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Kettering University #642 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private university in Flint, Michigan, Kettering University enrolls roughly 1,205 undergraduates. Retention is 94.3% and the six-year graduation rate is 70.8%, reflecting strong persistence and degree completion in an engineering-focused curriculum. Where Kettering University performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Kettering University #39 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $99,943, and Kettering University sits in the 98.1 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's engineering-dominant program portfolio — with Engineering representing the core academic focus — drives strong early-career earnings and sustained financial outcomes that exceed those of similar students at comparable institutions. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Kettering University sits in the 4.4 percentile for access and the 7.5 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. 17.0% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 18.2% are first-generation college students, reflecting a more selective enrollment profile typical of specialized engineering institutions. For students admitted to Kettering University, the institution's career-focused engineering curriculum and strong employer relationships in manufacturing, automotive, and advanced technology sectors create a direct pipeline to well-compensated positions — a positioning that distinguishes Kettering University among nonprofit four-year institutions where engineering depth and labor-market alignment drive measurable financial returns.
Kettering University's published cost of attendance is $61,250. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $24,910, middle-income families pay around $31,544, and higher-income families pay approximately $39,399. Azimuth ranks Kettering University #1318 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The affordability ranking reflects both the headline sticker price and the debt load graduates carry; net price and sticker price can differ substantially, and understanding that gap matters when evaluating long-term financial outcomes. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $27,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $35,000; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at Kettering University's median four-year earnings of $99,943, median federal debt of $27,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $305 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Kettering University is a strong fit for students interested in engineering and applied fields who want a private nonprofit university experience in Flint, MI. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $99,943, placing Kettering University in the 94.0 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $26,304 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 98.1 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 17.0% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 18.2% are first-generation — and delivers mobility outcomes that place Kettering University in the 98.3 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions, a historical 10-year Scorecard measure. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 78.7% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors engineering and applied fields over liberal arts. Students whose interests align with those areas will find strong earnings trajectories and career outcomes.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Kettering University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Computer Engineering
35 graduates
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
35 graduates
Computer Science
38 graduates
Chemical Engineering
24 graduates
Mechanical Engineering
193 graduates
Kettering University's program mix is anchored in engineering and applied technical fields, a portfolio shaped by the institution's cooperative education model and industry-focused curriculum. Mechanical Engineering is the largest program with 193 graduates, followed by Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering, and Industrial Engineering.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 373 students annually, the institution's strength concentrates in engineering subfields and applied business disciplines. The earnings pattern reflects the institution's engineering-dominant signature.
Computer Engineering leads with median 4-year earnings of $120,531 among 35 graduates, followed by Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering at $109,977 and Computer Science at $106,638. Chemical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering round out the highest-earning programs with median 4-year earnings of $103,868 and $99,292 respectively.
This concentration in technical and applied fields aligns with Kettering University's positioning as a practice-oriented engineering and technology institution where graduates enter the workforce directly into high-mobility careers. The program portfolio reflects a deliberate focus on fields with strong labor-market demand and direct-to-workforce pathways.
Engineering programs dominate the graduate output and earnings outcomes, creating substantial employer visibility and recruitment presence in automotive, manufacturing, and technology sectors. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how Kettering University's dominant program families align with national wage trends and hiring demand in applied technical fields.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Kettering University's published cost of attendance is $61,250. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $24,910, middle-income families pay around $31,544, and higher-income families pay approximately $39,399.
Azimuth ranks Kettering University #1318 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The affordability ranking reflects both the headline sticker price and the debt load graduates carry; [net price and sticker price can differ substantially](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/), and understanding that gap matters when evaluating long-term financial outcomes.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $27,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $35,000; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at Kettering University's median four-year earnings of $99,943, median federal debt of $27,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $305 under standard ten-year repayment.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Kettering University earn median 4-year earnings of $99,943, placing Kettering University in the 94.0 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. That figure runs well above the $57,042 median at comparable institutions.
Graduates earn about $26,304 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Kettering University in the 98.1 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Kettering University #39 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
The earnings pattern is concentrated in engineering and technical fields, reflecting Kettering University's singular focus on engineering-intensive disciplines. Mechanical Engineering is the largest program with 193 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $99,292, performing at 1.1x the national CIP-4 benchmark for the field.
The Computer Science program graduates 38 students earning $106,638, and the The Computer Engineering program graduates 35 students earning $120,531. Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering and Industrial Engineering round out the top five, with 4-year earnings of $109,977 and $86,265 respectively.
This concentration in Engineering — where employers recruit heavily and starting salaries are consistently strong — helps explain Kettering University's above-average return on investment relative to peer institutions.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Regis College Similar quality tier (#15479 ranked) | MA | 70% | $52,873 | #15479 | Compare |
Wabash College Similar quality tier in Midwest (#15490 ranked) | IN | 63% | $69,952 | #15490 | Compare |
Hamilton College Similar quality tier (#15447 ranked) | NY | 14% | $78,411 | #15447 | Compare |
Benedictine University Similar quality tier in Midwest (#15505 ranked) | IL | 95% | $63,446 | #15505 | Compare |
Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing & Allied Health Similar quality tier in Midwest (#15532 ranked) | NE | 73% | $65,071 | #15532 | Compare |
