Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Baker College

Based on comparable nursing programs across Michigan, Baker College's associate nursing program carries substantially more debt than most—$32,561 versus a state median of $22,818. That's nearly $10,000 more borrowed for what peer programs suggest will be similar first-year earnings around $68,000. While the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48 remains manageable by nursing standards, the higher borrowing means graduates here face larger monthly payments than nursing grads from nearby community colleges, many of whom enter the same job market with comparable credentials.

What's particularly striking is the four-year earnings figure: $63,207, which sits below the estimated first year number. This backward pattern is unusual for nursing, where earnings typically climb as nurses gain experience and specialty certifications. It may reflect sample variation in the data, but it also suggests this program's graduates might not be advancing at the pace seen elsewhere in the profession.

The bottom line: Similar programs in Michigan produce nursing graduates who earn roughly the same but borrow considerably less. Your child would likely face the same licensing exam, compete for the same hospital jobs, and earn similar wages as peers from Jackson College or Mid Michigan—but with an extra $10,000 in debt to repay. Unless Baker offers specific advantages like scheduling flexibility or location convenience that justify the cost difference, community college nursing programs appear to deliver comparable outcomes at lower financial risk.