Michigan Technological University (MTU) was originally established in 1885 as the Michigan Mining School. The school features the Society of Automotive Engineering, an organization designed for students interested in a career in the automotive industry. The society enables students to participate in a variety of competitions and individual clubs tailored to address the demands of the industry. MTU has more than 7,000 students and graduate programs in mechanical engineering, environmental engineering and material science engineering. The school was ranked in the top 50 graduate programs in the nation according to "US News and World Report" in 2009.
Cornell University was founded in 1885 by Ezra Cornell and Andrew D. White. The university established the College of Engineering in 1870. The college enrolls more than 4,000 students and has more than 10 academic programs including electrical and computer engineering, material and science engineering, systems engineering and mechanical and aerospace engineering. In 2010 Cornell University awarded more than 6,500 education degrees including bachelors, masters and doctorates. Cornell University participates in the Automotive X competition and the DARPA driverless vehicle event.
Kettering University was founded in 1919 and was acquired by General Motors in 1926. In January 1982, the school became independent and in 1998 became Kettering University. The university offers 13 undergraduate degree programs including electrical engineering, applied physics, industrial and mechanical engineering and engineering physics. The industrial and manufacturing undergraduate degree programs ranked number one in the 2009 U.S. News and World Report while the mechanical engineering program ranked number two.
Universal Technical Institute was established in 1999. The institute features four different trade schools: Automotive Diesel and Collision Repair, NASCAR Technical Institute, Motorcycle Mechanics Institute and the Marine Mechanics Institute. Universal Technical Institute's schools have exclusive partnerships with automotive manufacturers and associations including Audi of America Inc., DuPont, NASCAR, American Honda Motor Co. Inc., Snap-on Inc., Volkswagen of America Inc. and Mercury Marine. These partnerships equip students enrolled in the program with the latest automotive technology and improved industry standards.