˿Ƶ has been named the top undergraduate institution in by Launchpad Rankings, the joint effort of a U.S.-based group of prominent leaders from academia and industry and Education World, India’s largest human development magazine.
Unlike traditional rankings that often emphasize institutional selectivity or prestige over student experience, Launchpad’s methodology centers on indicators, such as class size, focus on faculty teaching, retention rate and experiential education opportunities, which are often considered predictive of student and workforce success. The result is a ranking that reflects how well a university delivers on the promise of education as a launchpad to a career.
At a time when students and families are increasingly focused on outcomes and return on investment in their college decision-making process, this recognition affirms Kettering’s effectiveness in preparing students for meaningful, high-impact careers. Kettering’s distinctive 50/50 blend of rigorous academics and hands-on Co-op experience, which alternates classroom instruction with paid, professional work experiences every 11 weeks over the course of a student’s entire undergraduate college career, is the centerpiece of its unique academic model. Kettering received the highest possible scores in two critical areas—teaching focus and experiential learning—underscoring the powerful impact of this signature Co-op education model.
“Today, education and career can – and ideally should – begin and develop at the same time,” said ˿Ƶ President Dr. Robert K. McMahan. “At Kettering, our students not only earn one of the best undergraduate degrees in the sciences and engineering, but also graduate with up to two and a half years of professional, mentored experience in the practice of their planned professional discipline. That creates a completely different outcome. Our students often graduate into roles well beyond entry level because they’re already trusted employees.”
Kettering’s placement at the top of the rankings also reinforces the long-standing value of its deep partnerships with industry leaders in automotive, automation/autonomous vehicles, advanced manufacturing, aerospace and defense, bioengineering, computer science/cybersecurity, and energy systems, among many other fields. These relationships ensure that graduates leave Kettering not only with a degree, but with experience, skills and a professional network that accelerates their professional journey.
Findings from other industry watchers support Launchpad’s assessment. Ranked among the top ten in career preparation by The Wall Street Journal, Kettering graduates not only often start in positions above entry level but are then fast-tracked in the early years of their career. The University boasts one of the highest annualized returns in the nation—8%, according to CollegeFactual.com—driven in part by students earning up to $100,000 through paid Co-op experiences during their college careers.
The Launchpad ranking news follows Kettering’s recent announcement of catalytic changes to its academic framework aimed at further strengthening its leadership at the intersection of education and industry. As part of the initiative, the University will launch an enhanced College of Engineering and Computer Science, a new School of Foundational Studies, and an expanded Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science.
