Baker College
Baker College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is Baker College Worth It?
At a value score of 23/100, Baker College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $35,833 — 33% below average — while paying $13,157/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 33% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 3 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $25,000 representing 70% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Baker College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Baker College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #6 of 13 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Uta Mesivta of Kiryas Joel | 100 | $4,156 | $31,853 |
| #2 | Bob Jones University | 45 | $16,641 | $44,354 |
| #3 | CBD College | 29 | $23,033 | $37,237 |
| #4 | Lindsey Wilson University | 28 | $15,070 | $41,129 |
| #5 | Campbellsville University | 24 | $19,341 | $41,583 |
| #6 | Baker College | 23 | $13,157 | $35,833 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Baker College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Baker College
The highest-earning program at Baker College is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $69,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at $24,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Baker College earns $69,200, while a Radio, Television, and Digital Communication graduate earns $24,500. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $35,679 in median debt vs. $28,850 for Radio, Television, and Digital Communication.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $13,157/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $69,200 | $69,200 | $35,679 |
| Computer Programming | $53,900 | $53,900 | $37,285 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | $48,400 | $48,400 | $35,963 |
| Computer Science | $47,500 | $47,500 | $30,079 |
| Graphic Communications | $43,500 | $43,500 | $24,186 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $43,400 | $43,400 | $26,679 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $41,900 | $41,900 | $30,747 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $39,500 | $39,500 | $27,952 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $38,600 | $38,600 | $35,444 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $35,600 | $35,600 | $37,760 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $33,300 | $33,300 | $31,584 |
| Marketing | $32,200 | $32,200 | $33,929 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $30,000 | $30,000 | $40,359 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $27,700 | $27,700 | $39,978 |
| Psychology, General | $27,500 | $27,500 | $34,928 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $24,500 | $24,500 | $28,850 |
Similar Colleges in MI
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Owosso, MI
- Student Body
- 3,026 students
- Admission Rate
- 82%
- Graduation Rate
- 33%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $13,157
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $35,833
- Median Student Debt
- $25,000