Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Baker College

Baker College's IT Administration program sits in an unusual sweet spot: while it ranks in just the 26th percentile nationally, it's solidly middle-of-the-pack for Michigan (60th percentile). The reason? Michigan's IT associate degree programs generally underperform compared to other states. Starting earnings of $35,380—which matches the state median exactly—lag the national median by $6,400, but this is more about Michigan's tech job market than Baker specifically. The manageable debt load of $23,292 and healthy 18% earnings growth over four years suggest graduates steadily build income, even if they start below what peers in other states earn.

For Michigan families, this program represents a reasonable path into IT support and administration roles, particularly given Baker's open-access admissions and significant Pell grant population. The 0.66 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates can handle their loan payments, and the trajectory points upward rather than plateauing early.

The practical reality: your child will likely find entry-level help desk or network administration work, but they're starting from a lower baseline than similar programs in states with stronger tech sectors. If staying in Michigan is the plan, Baker delivers comparable outcomes to other in-state options. If relocating to a tech hub is realistic, that national percentile ranking becomes more concerning—they'd be competing with graduates who started $6,000 ahead in earnings.