Kettering University vs. UM-Dearborn

Should I go to Kettering University or University of Michigan Dearborn? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Kettering University or UM-Dearborn is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Kettering University vs. University of Michigan Dearborn comparison
Kettering University University of Michigan Dearborn College 3 College 4
Kettering University University of Michigan Dearborn
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Overview

Kettering University UM-Dearborn
Location Flint, MI Dearborn, MI
Setting Midsize City Small City
Enrollment 1,605 8,035
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #250 #405
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website kettering.edu umich.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Kettering University UM-Dearborn
Tuition (In State) $46,380 $14,544
Tuition (Out of State) $46,380 $30,960
Room & Board $9,500 $10,803
Avg Net Price $33,616 $12,798
Avg Grant Aid $24,994 $9,552
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 96%

Admission

Kettering University UM-Dearborn
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,951 12,373
Admitted 1,543 7,254
Acceptance Rate 79.1% 58.6%
Enrolled % 14.8% 15.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.77 3.66
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 26/29 23/30
SAT Range 1060/1310 990/1260
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Apr 1, 2026

Academics

Kettering University UM-Dearborn
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Engineering (91%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (4%)
  • Business (3%)
  • Mathematics (2%)
  • Biology (1%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Engineering (11%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Biology (8%)

Outcomes

Kettering University UM-Dearborn
Graduation Rate 59% 49%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $76,000 $52,800
Making Student Loan Payments 86% 46%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,399 $25,750
Median Loan Payment $272 $266

Diversity

Kettering University UM-Dearborn
% Men 14% 15%
% Women 5% 9%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 76% 69%
% Black 4% 9%
% Hispanic 4% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 5% 2%
% Unknown Race 5% 3%

Students

Kettering University UM-Dearborn
% In-State 83% 93%
% Out-of-State 16% 3%

Campus

Kettering University UM-Dearborn
Campus Housing Yes No
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes No
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Michigan Dearborn is larger than than Kettering University based on total student enrollment (8,035 students vs. 1,605 students)

Kettering University vs. UM-Dearborn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kettering University or UM-Dearborn?

  • Kettering University is 218.9% more expensive to attend than UM-Dearborn for in-state tuition ($46,380.00 vs. $14,544.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 49.8% higher at Kettering University than University of Michigan Dearborn ($46,380.00 vs. $30,960.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Michigan Dearborn than Kettering University ($12,798 vs. $33,616)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kettering University are 13.7% lower than costs at University of Michigan Dearborn ($9,500 vs. $10,803)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Kettering University than University of Michigan Dearborn (100% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Kettering University students is 161.7% larger than aid received University of Michigan Dearborn ($24,994 vs. $9,552)

Kettering University vs. UM-Dearborn Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Kettering University or UM-Dearborn? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between UM-Dearborn or Kettering University .

  • The average SAT score at Kettering University (1204) is 99 points higher than at UM-Dearborn (1105)
  • Incoming Kettering University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at UM-Dearborn (24)
  • Accepted freshman Kettering University students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at UM-Dearborn (3.66)
  • Kettering University has a higher acceptance rate (79.1%) than UM-Dearborn (58.6%)

Kettering University vs. UM-Dearborn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Kettering University or UM-Dearborn? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between UM-Dearborn and Kettering University.

  • The graduation rate at Kettering University is higher than University of Michigan Dearborn (59% vs. 49%)
  • Graduates from Kettering University earn on average $23,200 more per year than UM-Dearborn graduates after ten years. ($76,000 vs. $52,800)
  • University of Michigan Dearborn students graduate with a $649 lower median federal student loan debt than Kettering University graduates. ($25,750 vs. $26,399)
  • UM-Dearborn graduates are paying $6 less per month on federal student loans than Kettering University graduates. ($266 vs. $272)
  • More Kettering University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UM-Dearborn students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 46%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/