Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Baker University #841 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $17,485 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Baker University in the 94.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Baker University #202 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- Baker University's composite ranking reflects its balanced performance across Azimuth's pillars of return, access, and mobility. The institution's earnings advantage stems from strong outcomes relative to cost, particularly for graduates in its business-focused programs.
Azimuth ranks Baker University #841 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private university in Baldwin City, Kansas, Baker University enrolls roughly 1,100 undergraduates. Retention stands at 65.8% and the six-year graduation rate is 57.8%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a residential liberal arts institution. Where Baker University performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Baker University #202 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $17,485 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Baker University in the 94.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's program portfolio is anchored in Business, a field that typically leads to stable career outcomes and strong early-career earnings trajectories. Access and affordability shape the remaining pillars of the composite. Baker University enrolls 25.7% Pell-eligible undergraduates and 36.3% first-generation students, positioning the institution in the 6.3 percentile for access among nonprofit four-year institutions. Affordability sits in the 34.6 percentile, reflecting the tuition structure and financial aid availability at a private nonprofit institution. Mobility outcomes rank in the 22.9 percentile among nonprofit four-year institutions, indicating that graduates move into sustainable career pathways at rates consistent with comparable institutions.
Baker University's published cost of attendance is $50,918. Net price by income band reflects the institution's need-based aid structure: low-income families pay approximately $21,057, middle-income families pay around $23,470, and higher-income families pay approximately $30,800. Azimuth ranks Baker University #933 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Baker University's aid structure is need-based, with financial aid distributed through federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional programs. Families apply using the FAFSA to determine eligibility and aid packages. The institution participates in standard federal aid programs and works with families to construct aid packages that combine grants, loans, and work-study opportunities where available. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $13,476; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $69,904, median federal debt of $25,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $282 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Baker University is a strong fit for students seeking a private liberal arts education in KS with a focus on Business programs, offering a balance of academic tradition and career-oriented outcomes. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $69,904, placing Baker University in the 72.8 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $17,485 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 94.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations. The university enrolls students from a range of backgrounds, with 25.7% of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants and 36.3% identifying as first-generation students. This access profile combines with a 53.4% Pell student graduation rate to support upward mobility in Midwest. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 94.2% admit rate reflects selective admissions, and the program mix favors Business fields that account for 32% of degrees. Students aligned with these academic interests will find Baker's outcomes competitive among regional private colleges.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
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This is the Baker University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Baker University's published cost of attendance is $50,918. Net price by income band reflects the institution's need-based aid structure: low-income families pay approximately $21,057, middle-income families pay around $23,470, and higher-income families pay approximately $30,800.
Azimuth ranks Baker University #933 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Baker University's aid structure is need-based, with financial aid distributed through federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional programs. Families apply using the FAFSA to determine eligibility and aid packages.
The institution participates in standard federal aid programs and works with families to construct aid packages that combine grants, loans, and work-study opportunities where available. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $13,476; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $69,904, median federal debt of $25,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $282 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Baker University earn median 4-year earnings of $69,904, placing Baker University in the 72.8 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Baker University sits in the 94.2 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Baker University #202 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern centers on Business and related professional fields.
Nursing is the largest program with 73 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $78,233, representing 0.9x the national benchmark for the field. The Business Administration program graduates 62 students with median 4-year earnings of $74,399, and Business/Commerce, General and Kinesiology round out the largest enrollment clusters.
These programs reflect Baker University's concentration in applied, career-focused fields that connect directly to employment outcomes in the KS region and beyond.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
73 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
62 graduates
Business/Commerce, General
43 graduates
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
15 graduates
Communication and Media Studies
11 graduates
Baker University's program mix is anchored in business and professional fields, reflecting the institution's identity as a private liberal arts university with applied career focus. Nursing is the largest program with 73 graduates, followed by Business Administration, Business/Commerce, General, Kinesiology, and Psychology, General.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 326 students annually, the institution's program portfolio emphasizes Business alongside education and health-related fields. The earnings pattern reflects strength in applied professional pathways.
Nursing graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $78,233 with 73 graduates, positioning this field as the institution's strongest earnings outcome. Business Administration follows with median earnings of $74,399 and 62 graduates.
These outcomes align with Baker University's concentration in Business (representing 32% of degrees), Education (representing 7% of degrees), and Social Sciences (representing 3% of degrees), which together form the core of the institution's degree output. Several of Baker University's programs are high-mobility pathways where graduates enter the workforce directly and earnings reflect immediate labor-market outcomes.
Others, particularly in education and health sciences, represent fields with stable demand and predictable career progression. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these program families align with regional and national labor-market trends.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Seattle Pacific University Similar quality tier (#21423 ranked) | WA | 83% | $64,506 | #21423 | Compare |
University Of Indianapolis Similar quality tier in Midwest (#21411 ranked) | IN | 67% | $53,610 | #21411 | Compare |
Dominican University New York Similar quality tier (#21425 ranked) | NY | 63% | $61,171 | #21425 | Compare |
Herzing University-Birmingham Similar quality tier (#21426 ranked) | AL | 93% | $36,909 | #21426 | Compare |
Everglades University Similar quality tier (#21407 ranked) | FL | 81% | $47,597 | #21407 | Compare |