Kettering University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Kettering University charges a net price of $34,660/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $138,640. Graduates earn a median $94,823 ten years after entry, $46,463/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 3 years — a 20-year net return of $790,620, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Kettering University's 3-year payback ranks #176 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 86% of them, and #5 of 85 in Michigan.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $34,660/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $138,640 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $94,823 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $46,463/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $27,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 3 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $790,620 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Kettering University's own numbers. Net price $34,660 × 4 years = $138,640 total. Median earnings $94,823 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $46,463 a year of premium. $138,640 ÷ $46,463 = 3 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $790,620. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Kettering University students graduate with?
A median $27,000 in federal loans among completers, or 28% of the $94,823 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Kettering University students graduate?
71% finish their degree. Spread the $138,640 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $195,268 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Kettering University expensive compared with other Michigan colleges?
Its $34,660 net price runs $20,359 above the $14,301 median across the 85 Michigan colleges we profile, or $81,436 more across the full degree.