Choosing the right college is one of the most consequential decisions a family makes. This page is built for the people who help them decide — with data, answers, and tools to make that conversation count.
It's the question every parent and counselor is asked. Here's what the national data actually says — and why Kettering outperforms the average on every metric that matters.
The evidence is clear: a four-year degree remains one of the highest-return investments a young person can make. Degree holders earn 86% more annually than those with only a high school diploma — and that advantage compounds over an entire career. Over a lifetime, that differential reaches $1.2 million in additional earnings.
Unemployment for college graduates sits under 3% — roughly half the rate for high school graduates. And all net job growth over the past decade went exclusively to degree holders. The question for families isn't whether college is worth it. It's which college delivers the best return.
Source: Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU)
While college on average pays, Kettering pays more. Kettering graduates start at $75,700 — the highest median starting salary in Michigan, and 16% above the national average of $65,276. That premium compounds to nearly $496,000 in additional cumulative earnings over 30 years.
Six tiles. Everything that matters. Share this section at your next college fair.
Counselors: use this snapshot to identify students who will thrive in Kettering's high-intensity, work-integrated business program.
| Area | Profile | Notes for Counselors |
|---|---|---|
| GPA | 3.0 – 3.9 Avg admitted: ~3.4–3.7 |
Strong academic record with upward trajectory valued. Holistic review — no strict cutoff. |
| ACT / SAT | ACT 22–28 SAT 1050–1320 | Test Optional |
Test scores are one factor. Students with strong GPA and course rigor are competitive without scores. |
| Mathematics | Pre-Calc or higher 4 years recommended |
Quantitative aptitude is important across all concentrations. Calculus preferred for Data Analytics and Finance tracks. |
| English / Writing | 4 years Strong analytical writing |
Business communication is a core competency. Students who read and write well have an advantage. |
| Science | 2–3 years Lab sciences preferred |
Not required for BSM, but students with science backgrounds adapt well to Kettering's technology-integrated curriculum. |
| Business / CTE | Strongly valued DECA, FBLA, business electives |
Students with DECA, entrepreneurship, or career-tech coursework often self-identify as great fits before the application. |
What counselors need to know about eligibility and Kettering's unique alternating academic schedule before advising students.
Kettering's academic calendar is unlike any other university in Michigan. Instead of traditional semesters, students rotate between on-campus academic terms and off-campus paid co-op terms throughout all four years.
Kettering is transfer-friendly and actively recruits students with prior college experience. Transfer students may enter in July, October, January, or April — rolling admissions year-round. Any student who has earned college credit after high school graduation applies as a transfer student.
Every concentration in Kettering's Bachelor of Science in Management is built around where the labor market is going — with Bureau of Labor Statistics projections to back it up. Click any concentration to visit the official Kettering program page.
Students learn to harness AI-powered analytics, machine learning, data visualization, and predictive modeling to drive business decisions. Data-literate managers are among the most in-demand professionals across every industry sector.
Post-pandemic disruptions have made supply chain expertise a top boardroom priority. Students learn global logistics, procurement strategy, inventory optimization, and resilience planning — skills every manufacturer and retailer desperately needs.
Bridges the gap between technical teams and executive leadership. Students learn organizational behavior, project management, technology strategy, and how to lead cross-functional teams in innovation-driven environments.
The only concentration that prepares students to build something from nothing. Students learn venture creation, business model design, funding strategy, and how to take an idea from whiteboard to market — backed by Kettering's network of 550+ industry partners.
Combines financial analysis, corporate finance, investment strategy, and financial technology with Kettering's signature STEM integration. Students graduate ready to sit for CFA prep and enter roles that bridge quantitative rigor with business strategy.
Share the Kettering Program Match Quiz with undecided students. Ten scenario-based questions identify their top two concentration matches — with a score breakdown by fit. Takes under 3 minutes.
Kettering's 4+1 pathway lets undergraduate students complete a graduate degree in just one additional year — at a fraction of the time and cost of a traditional master's program.
Kettering's School of Management doesn't offer an "AI elective." Artificial intelligence, machine learning tools, and data-driven decision-making are embedded into the core curriculum of every concentration — because today's employers expect it.
Alternating semesters of study and paid work — across four years.
Kettering's co-op model isn't an internship add-on. It's the foundation of the degree — and for families focused on cost, it's the most important number on the page.
Every co-op placement aligns to your student's concentration track. These are the real roles Kettering School of Management students hold at companies like GM, Ford, Bosch, Deloitte, Boeing, and 550+ employer partners.
Rankings and salary data are one thing. Here's what the numbers look like across a full career.
Families compare Kettering to both national business programs and Michigan competitors. Here's what the data shows when you look at outcomes, not just sticker price.
| School / Program | Median Starting Salary | National ROI Rank | Required Co-op | Net Annual Cost* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Kettering University
School of Management · ACBSP Accredited
|
$75,700 #1 in Michigan | #21 Nationally Georgetown CEW 2025 |
✓ Required
2.5 yrs professional experience
|
~$28,380/yr
After avg aid + co-op offset
|
| National Peers — ROI Comparison | ||||
|
Notre Dame — Mendoza
College of Business · AACSB
|
~$70,000–$80,000 | Top 30 Behind Kettering (#21) |
Optional | ~$63,000–$73,000 Private; limited aid for mgmt |
|
Babson College
Olin School of Business · AACSB
|
~$65,000–$72,000 | Top 50 | Optional | ~$62,000–$70,000 High sticker; limited aid pool |
|
Boston College — Carroll
Carroll School of Management · AACSB
|
~$65,000–$75,000 | Top 40 | Optional | ~$60,000–$68,000 Private; need-based aid available |
| Michigan Competitors | ||||
|
Univ. of Michigan — Ross
Stephen M. Ross School of Business · AACSB
|
~$70,000–$80,000 | Top 50 | Optional | ~$30,000–$55,000 Varies by residency & aid |
|
Michigan State — Broad
Eli Broad College of Business · AACSB
|
~$60,000–$68,000 | Ranked | Optional | ~$22,000–$38,000 Varies by residency & aid |
|
Michigan Tech — College of Business
AACSB Accredited
|
~$58,000–$66,000 | Regional | Optional | ~$20,000–$30,000 |
| West Coast Alternatives | ||||
|
Santa Clara University — Leavey
Leavey School of Business · AACSB
|
~$60,500–$87,300 Business median $60,500 starting; top 1% by PayScale early-career |
Unranked No Georgetown ROI rank equivalent |
Optional | ~$55,000–$65,000 Sticker ~$85,830; avg net price ~$55k after aid |
|
Chapman University — Argyros
Argyros School of Business & Economics · AACSB
|
~$58,000–$77,000 Avg salary $77,164 (Class of 2023); median ~$58,080 at 6 yrs |
Unranked -69.4% estimated ROI (EDsmart 2026) |
Optional | ~$48,000–$60,000 Sticker ~$90,807; avg net price ~$52,845 after aid |
* Net annual cost estimates are illustrative ranges reflecting approximate cost of attendance after average institutional aid. Kettering's figure also reflects co-op earnings offset. Salary data sourced from NACE, BLS, Georgetown CEW, and institutional reporting. ROI rankings from Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce (2025). Families should use each school's official Net Price Calculator for personalized estimates.
Adjust the sliders to model a family's estimated annual net cost after financial aid and co-op earnings offset. All figures are estimates — use Kettering's official Net Price Calculator for a personalized quote.
How to read this: Slide to your estimated aid amounts. Co-op earnings offset living expenses but are not applied against tuition — they reduce the amount families need to borrow or spend from savings. Average institutional aid is $23,367/year; 100% of freshmen receive some award.
* Estimates only. Co-op earnings offset living costs and reduce borrowing need — they are not credited directly against tuition. Contact Kettering Financial Aid for a personalized package.
Kettering's School of Management surrounds students with multiple layers of professional support — academic, career, and industry — from day one.
Kettering is a tight-knit community of approximately 1,800 students in Flint, Michigan. Small by design — transformative by outcome.
From federal financial aid calculators to Kettering's own resources, these are the tools that make the conversation easier.
The questions parents and counselors ask most — answered directly.
Everything you need to support students exploring Kettering University's School of Management.
Receive admission updates, financial aid changes, and School of Management news directly to your inbox. Built for school counselors who advise students exploring Kettering.
Whether you're a parent weighing options or a counselor looking for data to share with families — Kettering's School of Management has the numbers, the accreditation, and the outcomes to back it up.