Kettering University graduates, on average, earn more than graduates of any college in the state of Michigan, according to data released by PayScale.com.

Kettering ranked 60th nationally in PayScale’s annual College Salary Report. Kettering was the highest ranking Michigan school on the list and ranked seventh among all Midwest colleges.

The rankings reflect Kettering University’s focus on experiential education that combines theory and practice as well as any institution in the country. Students get a solid grounding in principles through work in the classroom and labs, then test those skills in industry settings as co-op employees in their respective fields.

“Kettering University graduates are uniquely prepared for the workforce because of our co-op program,” said Venetia Petteway, Kettering University cooperative education program director. “From the moment they set foot on campus as accepted seniors in high school participating in our Prep for Success programs, our students are taught interview tips and resume preparation and other valuable skills that they put to use immediately to obtain their co-op jobs. By the time they graduate, our students already have two years of targeted professional work experience in corporate and other professional settings. This makes Kettering graduates highly appealing candidates for the best jobs on the market for recent college graduates in a variety of industries.”

According to the PayScale data, Kettering graduates have an average starting salary of $61,800 per year. Their average mid-career salary is $98,700.

David Kenny '84, CEO of The Weather Company

Kettering rose from No. 113 in the country and 11th in the Midwest in the PayScale College Salary Report rankings last year.

Read an explanation of the PayScale methodology.

More on Kettering University’s co-op program.