Kettering University delivers among the highest returns on educational investment we track, with graduates earning $25,381 beyond expectations. The institution's specialized engineering focus and cooperative education model create direct pathways to high-paying technical careers, positioning it as a Selective Achiever with exceptional career outcomes.
With exceptional-tier results, driven by outstanding graduate earnings relative to educational investment
With modestly below average performance, reflecting higher net prices and debt levels compared to peer institutions
With modestly below average performance, indicating limited enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students relative to national averages
Also modestly below average, as the institution serves fewer low-income students despite delivering strong individual outcomes
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisKettering University generates exceptional return on educational investment through specialized engineering focus and industry partnerships. Graduates earn a median of $94,823 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 98th percentile nationally.
The institution delivers $25,381 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it at the 96th percentile for value-added performance. Earnings range from $66,125 at the 25th percentile to $115,611 at the 75th percentile, reflecting strong outcomes across different engineering disciplines.
Students seeking top-tier engineering outcomes with strong career placement. Best suited for those who prioritize post-graduation earnings and ROI over diverse academic offerings or campus life amenities.
Kettering's specialized STEM focus and co-op integration create exceptional value for career-focused students willing to pay higher costs for industry-leading engineering preparation.
Kettering University admits 79.1% of applicants, meaning roughly 4 in 5 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places Kettering in the Open Access category for admission selectivity, with acceptance rates above 75%.
The peer median admission rate of 75.6% shows Kettering admits students at a slightly higher rate than typical institutions with similar characteristics. However, the institution's specialized engineering focus naturally attracts a self-selecting applicant pool with strong technical preparation and career focus.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Kettering University's published cost of attendance reaches $58,610 per year, including $46,380 in tuition, $9,500 for room and board, and $1,100 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays $33,092 after financial aid, representing savings of $25,518 from the sticker price.
This net price significantly exceeds the peer median of $21,812 by $11,280, reflecting Kettering's position as a specialized private technical institution. The higher costs align with the institution's intensive cooperative education model, small class sizes, and industry-standard laboratory facilities.
Financial aid reduces costs meaningfully, though not to the level achieved by many public institutions or institutions with larger endowments. Students and families should plan for above-average educational costs that are partially offset by exceptional post-graduation earning potential, with graduates earning $44,411 more annually than peer institution graduates.
Computer Science.
23 graduates
Mechanical Engineering.
260 graduates
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
64 graduates
Industrial Engineering.
23 graduates
Chemical Engineering, Other.
27 graduates
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Concordia University-Saint Paul Similar quality tier in Midwest (#480 ranked) | MN | 75% | $59,871 | #480 | Compare |
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Top 2% nationally for return on investment
Kettering University ranks at the 98th percentile for return on investment, positioning it among the highest-performing institutions we track nationwide. This small private university in Flint, Michigan maintains an Open Access admission policy with a 79.1% acceptance rate while delivering exceptional post-graduation outcomes.
Students earn $25,381 beyond expectations relative to similar backgrounds, ranking at the 96th percentile nationally for earnings uplift. Median earnings reach $94,823 ten years after enrollment, placing Kettering at the 98th percentile for long-term earnings.
The institution enrolls 16.8% Pell-eligible students and 18.2% first-generation students, serving a student body that achieves remarkable economic advancement. As a Selective Achiever, Kettering demonstrates how specialized technical education can produce outstanding career outcomes with strong earnings potential across its focused engineering and computer science programs.
While the admission rate suggests broad accessibility, prospective students should understand that success in Kettering's rigorous engineering curriculum requires solid preparation in mathematics and sciences. The cooperative education program also demands students who are comfortable with intensive hands-on learning and industry integration.
Students considering Kettering should evaluate their readiness for specialized technical education rather than viewing the high acceptance rate as an indicator of reduced academic rigor. This combination of accessible admission with demanding technical curriculum means that fit and preparation matter more than traditional selectivity measures for predicting student success.
Kettering University graduates demonstrate exceptional earnings growth and consistently strong career outcomes. Median earnings progress from $80,275 six years after enrollment to $85,240 at eight years and $94,823 at ten years, representing 18.1% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes reflect a robust ten-year cohort of 479 graduates, providing high confidence in reported figures. The institution generates $25,381 in earnings beyond expectations compared to students with similar backgrounds, ranking at the 96th percentile nationally for this uplift measure.
Low-income graduates earn $74,800, demonstrating strong economic mobility outcomes for students from lower-income backgrounds. Earnings span from $66,125 at the 25th percentile to $115,611 at the 75th percentile, indicating solid outcomes across different career trajectories within Kettering's specialized programs.
Approximately 19.8% of graduates continue to graduate study, suggesting most students enter the workforce immediately with strong earning potential. The institution's focused engineering curriculum and co-operative education model create direct pathways to high-paying technical careers in manufacturing, automotive, and technology sectors.
Kettering University offers 6 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data, all focused on engineering and computer science disciplines. Mechanical Engineering stands out as the flagship program, ranking #10 nationally and #1 in Michigan, graduating 260 students with median earnings of $91,536 and an exceptional value score of 96.0.
Electrical and Electronics Engineering ranks #77 nationally and #6 in Michigan, graduating 64 students with earnings of $88,785. Computer Science ranks #148 nationally but #4 in Michigan, producing 23 graduates earning $91,590.
Industrial Engineering achieves strong national recognition at #39, ranking #2 in Michigan with graduates earning $85,107. Chemical Engineering ranks #93 nationally and #5 in Michigan, while Computer Engineering General ranks #88 nationally.
All programs demonstrate flagship status at the institution, reflecting Kettering's specialized mission and concentrated expertise in technical education. The combination of strong national rankings, solid state positioning, and consistent high earnings across all programs underscores the institution's focused approach to engineering education.
Rose-Hulman Institute Of Technology Similar quality tier in Midwest (#485 ranked) | IN | 73% | $101,253 | #485 | Compare |
Trinity College Similar quality tier (#478 ranked) | CT | 34% | $90,779 | #478 | Compare |
Colby College Similar quality tier (#477 ranked) | ME | 7% | $80,490 | #477 | Compare |
King University Similar quality tier (#467 ranked) | TN | 54% | $59,831 | #467 | Compare |
