Computer Science at Kettering University

Kettering's computer science graduates earn well above both state and national norms—$83,751 in their first year puts them $16,000 ahead of Michigan's typical CS grad and $13,000 above the national median. Among Michigan's 19 CS programs, only Central Michigan and Calvin post higher early earnings, yet Kettering achieves this with a relatively accessible 79% admission rate and moderate debt of $27,500 (exactly the state median). The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.33 means graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in four months of earnings.

The major asterisk here is sample size—with fewer than 30 graduates in this cohort, these numbers could swing considerably with different students. That said, the pattern fits Kettering's distinctive co-op model, where students alternate semesters between classes and paid professional work. This isn't just resume padding; students graduate with actual workplace experience, which explains both the strong starting salaries and the modest 9% earnings growth (they're already career-launched rather than entry-level).

For families willing to bet on a smaller dataset, the value proposition looks solid. Your child would likely graduate with manageable debt and immediate earning power that rivals Michigan's strongest programs. Just know these numbers represent a limited sample, and Kettering's engineering-heavy culture won't suit everyone.