Applied Mathematics at Kettering University

Kettering's Applied Mathematics bachelor's delivers estimated first-year earnings of $60,930—right at the national median for this major—with projected debt around $25,400. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 sits comfortably below the concerning 1.0 threshold, suggesting graduates from similar programs can manage their loans on a first-year salary. For context, national Applied Math programs typically saddle students with $21,400 in debt, so Kettering's estimate runs about $4,000 higher, though still within a manageable range.

What matters here is the lack of program-specific data from Kettering itself. These figures come from peer institutions offering Applied Mathematics degrees, not from tracking actual Kettering graduates in this field. That means you're betting on Kettering's cooperative education model—which integrates paid work experience throughout the degree—to deliver outcomes comparable to or better than the national average. The school's 17% Pell grant population and 1219 average SAT suggest it serves a relatively advantaged student body, which could support stronger networking and career placement.

The estimated numbers suggest a functional investment if Kettering's co-op placements translate to the kind of earnings typical programs produce. But without actual graduate outcomes, you're relying on the university's reputation and work-integrated learning model to justify choosing this program over alternatives where you can see real results.