Location: Owosso, MI•In-State Tuition: $12,810•Admission Rate: 88%•Avg SAT: 1080
Median Earnings (1yr)
$41,784
56th percentile
10th percentile in Michigan
Median Debt
$49,189
82% above national median
D/E Ratio: 1.18 ElevatedSample: 20 graduates Limited data

Analysis

Baker College's software program shows promising earnings growth but starts from a surprisingly weak position. While four-year earnings of $71,920 look respectable and beat the national benchmark, the first-year figure of $41,784 places this program in just the 10th percentile among Michigan's six software programs—meaning nine out of ten comparable programs in the state launch graduates into stronger positions. For context, Michigan's median for this degree is $69,950, nearly 70% higher than Baker's first-year outcome. The state's top program at U-M Ann Arbor starts graduates at $98,117.

The debt situation compounds this concern: at $49,189, graduates carry nearly twice the state median and almost double the national benchmark of $27,000. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.18 means a typical graduate owes more than a full year's starting salary. The 72% earnings jump by year four suggests either delayed career launches or significant advancement potential, but parents should ask why peer programs start so much stronger.

The very small sample size (under 30 graduates) makes these numbers less reliable than data from larger programs. Still, for Michigan families who could access stronger in-state software programs—even at regional universities—the combination of weak initial placement and above-average debt makes this a questionable choice unless specific circumstances justify it.

Where Baker College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all computer software and media applications bachelors's programs nationally

Baker CollegeOther computer software and media applications programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How Baker College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Baker College earns $42k — 56th percentile among computer software and media applications bachelors programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Baker College$41,784$71,920+72%
University of Southern California$103,071$134,326+30%
Rochester Institute of Technology$69,052$84,214+22%
Academy of Art University$45,387$72,792+60%
Champlain College$52,260$71,607+37%

Compare to Similar Programs in Michigan

Computer Software and Media Applications bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Michigan (6 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Baker CollegeOwosso$12,810$41,784$71,920$49,1891.18
University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn Arbor$17,228$98,117—$19,7690.20
National Median—$38,234—$27,0000.71

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with computer software and media applications graduates

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.

$171,200/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer and Information Research Scientists

Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.

$140,910/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Software Developers

Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.

$131,450/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Database Administrators

Administer, test, and implement computer databases, applying knowledge of database management systems. Coordinate changes to computer databases. Identify, investigate, and resolve database performance issues, database capacity, and database scalability. May plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard computer databases.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Database Architects

Design strategies for enterprise databases, data warehouse systems, and multidimensional networks. Set standards for database operations, programming, query processes, and security. Model, design, and construct large relational databases or data warehouses. Create and optimize data models for warehouse infrastructure and workflow. Integrate new systems with existing warehouse structure and refine system performance and functionality.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Data Warehousing Specialists

Design, model, or implement corporate data warehousing activities. Program and configure warehouses of database information and provide support to warehouse users.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Data Scientists

Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software. Apply data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning to extract and analyze information from large structured and unstructured datasets. Visualize, interpret, and report data findings. May create dynamic data reports.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Intelligence Analysts

Produce financial and market intelligence by querying data repositories and generating periodic reports. Devise methods for identifying data patterns and trends in available information sources.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Data Managers

Apply knowledge of health care and database management to analyze clinical data, and to identify and report trends.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Special Effects Artists and Animators

Create special effects or animations using film, video, computers, or other electronic tools and media for use in products, such as computer games, movies, music videos, and commercials.

$99,800/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer Programmers

Create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software and web developers or other individuals. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.

$98,670/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Web Developers

Develop and implement websites, web applications, application databases, and interactive web interfaces. Evaluate code to ensure that it is properly structured, meets industry standards, and is compatible with browsers and devices. Optimize website performance, scalability, and server-side code and processes. May develop website infrastructure and integrate websites with other computer applications.

$95,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Baker College, approximately 38% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 20 graduates with reported earnings and 22 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.