The annual ranking is based on several categories that evaluate the academic excellence of colleges and universities across the country. Kettering ranked 13th nationally among non-Ph.D.-granting engineering programs, up two spots from last year. The Mechanical Engineering program ranked seventh nationally. The M.E. program also ranked seventh last year.

“Kettering University’s consistently strong performance in major rankings like U.S. News are an affirmation of the incredible career outcomes that a Kettering education provides to our students and graduates,” said Dr. Robert K. McMahan, Kettering University President. “Kettering’s unique and proven model of mixing rigorous academics and undergraduate research opportunities with deep and meaningful professional experience truly produces students who hit the ground running after they graduate. The accomplishments of our alumni and the talents of our students and faculty are truly astounding, and they set a very high bar even when compared with the best institutions in the country.”

Other recent rankings and designations include:

• Fourth in the Midwest in Earnings Performance, according to the Washington Monthly.
• 14th nationally and fifth in the Midwest in PayScale.com’s 2016 College Return on Investment rankings.
• 59th nationally in The Economist’s 2015 College Rankings.
• Programs had the following rankings in the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (based on percent earning above high school graduates):
  
  -Second nationally and first in Michigan among four-year engineering programs;
  -Fourth nationally and first in Michigan among four-year computer science programs;
  -Fourth nationally and first in Michigan among four-year biological science programs;
  -Fourth nationally and first in Michigan among four-year physical science programs;
  -Third nationally and first in Michigan among four-year mathematics programs;
  -Fourth nationally and first in Michigan among four-year business programs.
   

• 10th in a 2015 CNN Money article ranking the top 10 private universities in the country for return on investment.
• In 2015, Money Magazine identified Kettering among 25 universities nationwide where graduates can earn six-figure salaries with just an undergraduate degree.
• 2015 ‘Best in the Midwest’ designation by the Princeton Review.
• No. 164 on Business Insider’s 2015 list of the ‘600 Smartest Colleges in America’ list.