Computer Science at Baker College

Baker College graduates start strong with nearly $68,000 in first-year earnings—actually beating Michigan's median for computer science programs and landing them in the 60th percentile statewide. But there's an unusual wrinkle: earnings dip slightly by year four rather than climbing. This isn't a crisis (we're talking a 3% decline, not a collapse), but computer science typically shows robust salary growth as developers gain experience. The pattern suggests graduates may be landing decent entry-level positions but perhaps not at companies with strong advancement tracks.

The debt picture offers genuine relief. At $38,000, Baker College sits in the 5th percentile nationally for program debt—meaning 95% of computer science programs leave students with more to pay back. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56, graduates should be able to manage payments comfortably even if their salaries plateau. Compare this to programs charging similar amounts but producing earnings in the $50,000 range, and the value becomes clearer.

For Michigan families looking at more accessible computer science options, this delivers solid ROI despite the modest earnings trajectory. You're getting respectable starting salaries with significantly less debt than competitors like Michigan Tech ($27,500 median debt) or Calvin ($23,374). The open admission and reasonable costs make this a practical entry point to tech careers, even if it won't land your child at Google's headquarters.