Last Updated: Monday August 03, 2026  ·  Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard Nov 2025
Kettering University (GMI Engineering & Management Institute) — Acceptance Rate and Admission Requirements
Non-Profit Private Accredited · Higher Learning Commission Flint, Michigan 79.1% Acceptance Rate

Kettering University (GMI Engineering & Management Institute) Acceptance Rate, GPA, and Admission Requirements

📍 Flint, Michigan 48504-6214 🏛️ Main Campus 🌐 https://www.kettering.edu/

Kettering University — Admission Snapshot 2026

A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application

79.1%Acceptance Rate
3.77Avg GPA
1219Avg SAT
28Avg ACT
$58,610Annual Cost
$94,823Grad Salary
16.8%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
79.1%
Avg GPA
3.77
Avg SAT
1219
Avg ACT
28
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1060–1310
ACT Middle 50%
26–29
Need-Based Aid
16.8% receive Pell

Kettering University is a private, co-educational university in Michigan known for its excellence in engineering, science, business, and technology. With a rigorous curriculum and a strong focus on high-impact experiential learning including its industry-leading co-op program the university provides an environment where students engage in hands-on discovery and real-world problem solving. Its commitment to innovation and professional success makes it an elite choice for students aiming for successful careers in technical fields.

Kettering University Acceptance Rate

Admission at Kettering University is inclusive by design. 79.1% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.

What to Expect

  • Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
  • Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.

Selectivity at a Glance

Inclusive
Kettering University Selectivity Meter
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 79.1% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)

Recommended Academic Profile

Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.77 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.57 – 3.76
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.32
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support

Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).

Kettering University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026

Mark November 1 for Kettering University (Early Action I — other plans are listed below), with decisions typically out by December 15.

Key Admission Dates

⏳ 85 days left — Early Action I
Early Action I NEXT UP
November 1
Decision by: December 15
Early Action II
January 15
Decision by: February 15
Regular Decision
March 1
December 1, 2026Scholarship Deadline

💡 The scholarship deadline (December 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.

Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.

GMI Engineering & Management Institute GPA Requirement

The average GPA of admitted students at GMI Engineering & Management Institute is 3.77. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.

Between 3.47 and 3.77? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.

Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.97–4.17.

GMI Engineering & Management Institute GPA & Admission Outlook

Assessment: Highly selective. This GPA sits within the typical admitted band.

Recommended Strategy: A top-5th-percentile SAT/ACT score makes the strongest case here.

This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:

Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.77 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.57 – 3.76
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.37 – 3.56
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.36
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors

Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here

  • Test-optional for admission, but personal essays are a required application component
  • Free application with Early Action I & II and Rolling Admission plans
  • Co-op is a real, interview-based employer hiring process that can start as early as spring of senior year of high school - not a placement assigned by the university
  • Students can earn roughly $55,000-$75,000+ over 2.5 years of co-op work by graduation, and about 60% receive a job offer from their co-op employer
  • Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
  • Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.

Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.

Check Your Admission Chances at GMI Engineering & Management Institute

Admission Chance Predictor

Built from Kettering University's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below

--%
Calculating Profile...

Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.

Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00

✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.

Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.

Kettering University (GMI Engineering & Management Institute) Test Requirements

Scores aren't just a formality at GMI Engineering & Management Institute. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.

Can I Get Into GMI Engineering & Management Institute Without SAT or ACT?

GMI Engineering & Management Institute considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.

Kettering University Average SAT Score: 1219

Admitted students at Kettering University average a 1219 SAT (out of 1600).

SAT Competitiveness

Kettering University SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1219 — Slightly Competitive

A 1219 average tracks near the middle of the national distribution.

SAT Math
605
SAT Reading
580
Composite
1219
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1310 SAT or 29 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Kettering University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.

Scored under 1060? A retake is worth it at GMI Engineering & Management Institute. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.

SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections

SAT score percentiles for Kettering University
SectionAverage25th Percentile75th Percentile
SAT Math605540670
SAT Reading580520640
SAT Composite121910601310

A score under 1060 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1310+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)

View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1200

Can I get into Kettering University (GMI Engineering & Management Institute) with a 1300 SAT?

At 1300, your SAT is squarely in GMI Engineering & Management Institute's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.

Kettering University (GMI Engineering & Management Institute) ACT Requirements

GMI Engineering & Management Institute's admitted students average an ACT of 28.

ACT Competitiveness

Kettering University ACT Competitiveness
ACT 28 — Competitive

An average of 28 is a respectable, above-average national benchmark.

ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections

ACT score percentiles for Kettering University
SectionAverage25th Percentile75th Percentile
ACT Math262328
ACT English272429
ACT Composite282629

Can I get into Kettering University with a 29 ACT?

At 29, you're in the top quarter of GMI Engineering & Management Institute's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.

The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.

Beyond the number itself, GMI Engineering & Management Institute weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.

View a list of all colleges with an average ACT score of 28

Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for GMI Engineering & Management Institute

Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation

GMI Engineering & Management Institute is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.

Write the essays like they matter, because they're a required part of holistic review

Unlike some peer STEM schools, Kettering is test-optional but not essay-optional - personal essays are an explicitly required supplemental material alongside your transcript and (optional) test scores. Since Kettering emphasizes grades in core science/math courses most heavily, use the essay to surface the parts of your record grades can't show - sustained curiosity, hands-on projects, or work ethic under real deadlines.

Start your co-op job search the moment you're admitted, not after you enroll

Accepted incoming freshmen can begin the Kettering Co-op employment search as early as spring of their senior year of high school; transfer students can start right after acceptance. Co-op employers choose whom to interview based on academic background, work history, extracurriculars, and honors - treat this exactly like a real job search that starts before you've set foot on campus, not something the university will simply assign you later.

Know the freshman "B-section" exception if your co-op search takes longer than expected

Incoming freshman B-section students are not required to have secured a co-op employer before starting classes in October. And if you're not employed by any work-term start date, you can request a "back-to-back academic term" instead through a formal petition (the Altering the Academic/Work Sequence form) - this is a real, built-in option, not a sign you've fallen behind.

Protect your GPA as the gatekeeper to your co-op pipeline, not just your degree progress

Students on academic probation, or released "for cause" by a co-op employer, can lose university assistance in finding new co-op placement until they meet grade requirements again. A dip in academic performance doesn't just risk your standing in a class - it can directly stall your paid work-term pipeline.

Expert Insight:

Applicants sometimes treat Kettering's admission decision as the finish line - in practice it's the start of a second, parallel process: landing a paid co-op employer through direct interviews. Assuming the university will simply hand you a placement, rather than actively managing your resume, interviews, and outreach from the moment you're admitted, can leave you without a work term and defaulted onto a back-to-back academic schedule instead of the paid experience you enrolled for.

GMI Engineering & Management Institute Profile

Full Name
Kettering University (GMI Engineering & Management Institute)
City
Flint
State
Michigan
ZIP Code
48504-6214
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)

Is a GMI Engineering & Management Institute Degree Worth It?

At $58,610/year against a $94,823 median graduate salary, GMI Engineering & Management Institute is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.

Admitted students' families report a median household income around $70,800, and graduates see a 3.26% unemployment rate.

How much does a degree from GMI Engineering & Management Institute Cost?

Listed tuition runs $58,610/year at GMI Engineering & Management Institute. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.

At GMI Engineering & Management Institute, 16.8% receive a Pell Grant and 46.1% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming GMI Engineering & Management Institute on it improves your shot at both.

How much does a GMI Engineering & Management Institute Graduate earn?

Ten years out from enrollment, GMI Engineering & Management Institute graduates report a median income of $94,823, about 134% above the U.S. median graduate income.

$58,610Annual Cost
16.8%Pell Grant
46.1%Federal Loan
$94,823Grad Salary (10yr)

Compare Similar Colleges

Less Competitive

Less Competitive Schools

These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Kettering University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.

SchoolLocationSATACT
Birmingham-Southern College Birmingham, AL 1197 24
Samford University Birmingham, AL 1203 26
University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR 1174 25
Harding University Searcy, AR 1187 25
Dominican University of California San Rafael, CA 1194 26
Eastern Connecticut State University Willimantic, CT 1200 NA
University of Hartford West Hartford, CT 1207 29
University of New Haven West Haven, CT 1190 NA
Howard University Washington, DC 1205 25
Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FL 1182 25
Same Competitive

Equally Competitive Schools

These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Kettering University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.

SchoolLocationSATACT
University of Mobile Mobile, AL 1220 24
John Brown University Siloam Springs, AR 1222 26
Ouachita Baptist University Arkadelphia, AR 1212 25
California Lutheran University Thousand Oaks, CA 1224 26
Quinnipiac University Hamden, CT 1212 27
More Competitive

More Competitive Schools

These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Kettering University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

SchoolLocationSATACT
University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL 1251 26
The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL 1287 28
University of Arizona Tucson, AZ 1261 26
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott Prescott, AZ 1256 27
Biola University La Mirada, CA 1258 27

Degree Programs at GMI Engineering & Management Institute

Bachelor Degree Programs

Masters Degree Programs

Professional Certificate Programs

Frequently Asked Questions About GMI Engineering & Management Institute Admissions

Graduates of Kettering University earn a high median salary of $94,823/year, varying by field.

Tuition at Kettering University runs high, at roughly $58,610+/year, so financial aid planning matters.

16.8% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average. Kettering University skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.

Kettering University's acceptance rate is 79.1%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.

The average GPA of admitted Kettering University students is 3.77, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.

There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.47 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Kettering University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.

A GPA of 3.37 or below makes admission tougher at Kettering University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.

Kettering University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1219, and within the 1060–1310 range, keeps you competitive.

Kettering University's deadline is November 1 (Early Action I), with decisions out by December 15.

For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before December 1, 2026. That's Kettering University's scholarship priority date.

Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.

The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.

SK

Sohaib Ahmad Khan

Sohaib Ahmad Khan is a leading career counselor and admission guidance expert who has guided over 50,000 students worldwide. He is the author of four books and developer of widely used career counseling and aptitude assessment systems. .

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