Students at Baker University achieve earnings that significantly exceed expectations, with graduates earning nearly $9,000 more annually than similar students at comparable institutions.
This earnings advantage, combined with strong overall financial outcomes, places Baker among the top-performing private colleges nationwide for return on investment.
Baker University ranks among the top performers nationally for long-term earnings, placing in the 77th percentile for return on investment among all institutions. This small private college in Baldwin City, Kansas, consistently delivers outcomes that exceed what students might expect based on the institution's profile. With just over 1,000 students, Baker provides an intimate educational environment while maintaining strong connections to regional employers and career pathways.
What makes Baker distinctive is its ability to help graduates earn significantly more than similar students at comparable institutions. Ten years after enrollment, Baker graduates earn a median of $63,855, with many achieving earnings that surpass expectations by nearly $9,000 annually. This earnings advantage reflects the university's focused approach to career preparation, particularly in high-demand fields like business administration and nursing.
As a private nonprofit institution, Baker combines the personal attention of a small college with the practical career outcomes typically associated with larger universities. The university serves a moderately selective student body, with about 24% of students receiving Pell Grants and 36% being first-generation college students. For families seeking a supportive environment that delivers strong financial returns, Baker represents a compelling option in the private college landscape.
Baker University's program portfolio centers on professional fields that lead directly to stable, well-compensated careers. Business Administration stands out as both the largest program, graduating 96 students annually, and the highest aggregate return generator, with graduates earning $56,415 ten years out. This combination of scale and strong outcomes makes business the economic engine of the university.
Adult Health Nursing represents Baker's second-largest program with 91 graduates and delivers excellent early-career earnings of $57,168, reflecting the high demand for qualified nurses in Kansas and surrounding regions. The program's size and consistent outcomes demonstrate Baker's strength in health sciences education and its ability to prepare students for immediate entry into high-demand healthcare roles.
Business/Commerce, while smaller with 33 graduates, rounds out Baker's core professional offerings with median earnings of $47,595. Together, these three programs represent the majority of Baker's degree production and showcase the university's focused approach to career-oriented education. The concentration in business and health sciences creates clear pathways to employment and helps explain Baker's consistently strong earnings outcomes relative to institutions of similar size and selectivity.
Baker University graduates achieve exceptionally strong long-term earnings that place the institution in the top quartile nationally for return on investment. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $63,855, significantly outperforming expectations with an earnings advantage of nearly $9,000 annually compared with similar students at other institutions. This substantial earnings boost reflects Baker's effectiveness in preparing students for high-value career paths and connecting them with employers who recognize the quality of a Baker education.
The university's strongest financial outcomes come from its core professional programs. Business Administration graduates, representing Baker's largest program with 96 students, earn a median of $56,415 ten years out and generate the highest aggregate return for the institution. Adult Health Nursing, the second-largest program with 91 graduates, produces strong early-career earnings of $57,168, reflecting the high demand for qualified nurses in the region. Business/Commerce graduates, though a smaller cohort of 33 students, also achieve solid outcomes with median earnings of $47,595.
Baker's concentrated program portfolio, focused primarily on business and health sciences, creates clear pathways to stable, well-compensated careers. The university's small size allows for personalized career guidance and strong alumni networks in key industries, contributing to the consistently strong earnings outcomes that place Baker well above national averages for institutions of its type and selectivity level.
Baker University's affordability profile reflects its position as a private college that works to keep costs manageable across income levels. Low-income students pay a net price of $18,256 annually, while middle-income families see costs around $20,669 per year. Even high-income families pay $27,999, which represents significant financial aid support given Baker's private college status. These net prices, while higher than public alternatives, provide access to the personalized education and career outcomes that characterize Baker's approach.
Debt levels at Baker are moderate and manageable given the strong earnings outcomes graduates achieve. Typical federal student loan debt is $25,000, which aligns well with the median earnings of $63,855 that graduates reach by year ten. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $13,601, a reasonable level that reflects family investment in Baker's educational value. The university maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that graduates successfully manage their debt obligations.
What makes Baker's costs sustainable is the strong return on investment graduates experience. With earnings that exceed expectations by nearly $9,000 annually, most borrowers can comfortably handle standard repayment schedules. The combination of moderate debt levels and above-average earnings creates a financial equation that works well for families willing to invest in Baker's distinctive educational approach and proven career outcomes.
Baker University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
