“America's premier co-op engineering university — every undergraduate earns 2.5 years of paid professional experience before graduation.”
Kettering University is a private STEM and business-focused institution in Flint, Michigan, with one of the most distinctive undergraduate models in the United States: every student completes at least five cooperative education terms before graduating, earning approximately 2.5 years of full-time, paid professional experience integrated directly into their degree. Founded in 1919 as the General Motors Institute of Technology and later renamed for inventor and GM research chief Charles F. Kettering, the university maintains deep connections to industry — particularly the U.S. automotive sector — while expanding its co-op network to 550+ employer partners across the country and globally. The result is a graduate who enters their career with a resume that most four-year graduates cannot match. Academically, Kettering focuses on engineering, computer science, and business management, offering ABET-accredited programs in mechanical, electrical, chemical, industrial, computer, and robotic engineering, as well as mechatronic systems, physics, and applied mathematics. Bachelor of science degrees are structured to alternate 11-week academic terms with 12-week co-op terms, creating a cycle of theory-and-application that accelerates both learning and professional maturity. Kettering's enrollment of approximately 1,200 undergraduates means students receive close faculty mentorship, participate in undergraduate research, and benefit from a university that treats career placement as a core educational mission. Most programs are eligible for STEM OPT extension, making Kettering particularly attractive to international students who want to build a long-term U.S. career in engineering or technology. Kettering career outcomes rank among the strongest of any private university its size in the nation. The median starting salary for graduates is $75,700 — ranked #19 nationally and #1 in Michigan by The Wall Street Journal — and the 10-year median earnings exceed $94,000 according to College Scorecard data. The co-op program itself generates $55,000–$75,000 in total student earnings over the 4.5-year program, substantially offsetting tuition costs. Forbes has recognized Kettering as a top college for launching a career. Located in Flint, the birthplace of General Motors, Kettering sits within an hour of Detroit and the heart of the U.S. automotive and advanced manufacturing industries.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
Regional Universities Midwest
US News 2026
#1 in Michigan for Graduate Salary
Wall Street Journal
Test Optional — You can submit scores if they help your case, but they're not required.
Official SourceEarly Action
Rolling (Fall)
For September start
Rolling (Winter)
For January start
Rolling (Spring)
For May start
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Tuition & Fees (All Students)
$52,670
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
ABET-accredited programs in mechanical, electrical, chemical, industrial, computer, and robotic engineering, plus mechatronic and autonomous vehicle systems. The core of Kettering's identity and the majority of its enrollment.
Provides the scientific and quantitative foundations for engineering disciplines, plus standalone programs in computer science, applied mathematics, and physics.
Offers business management and engineering management programs designed for technically minded students pursuing leadership, entrepreneurship, and operational roles.
4.5 years
Kettering's flagship program — ABET-accredited and co-op integrated, with deep connections to automotive, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing employers. Median starting salaries rank among the highest nationally.
4.5 years
STEM OPT eligible, combining strong CS fundamentals with the co-op model and access to 550+ industry partners spanning tech, automotive, and defense sectors.
4.5 years
ABET-accredited with specializations in electronics, power systems, and communications, offering strong pathways into the electric vehicle and semiconductor industries.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $48,470
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
