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

Baker College's nursing program delivers solid career outcomes despite below-average starting salaries. Graduates earn $69,067 in their first year—about $6,000 less than both national and Michigan medians—but see healthy 19% growth to $81,833 by year four. While this places the program in just the 20th percentile nationally and 40th percentile within Michigan, those fourth-year earnings rival top-performing programs in the state.

The debt picture is notably favorable. At $45,086, graduates carry significantly more debt than typical nursing students nationally ($27,000) or in Michigan ($28,800), but Baker College ranks in the 5th percentile for debt levels—meaning 95% of comparable programs saddle students with even more debt. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.65 remains manageable for a field with strong job security and growth potential.

For families weighing this investment, Baker College offers a path into nursing that may start slower but catches up quickly. The higher debt load is offset by relatively strong earnings growth, and nursing's recession-proof nature provides long-term security. While students could potentially start higher elsewhere, few programs in Michigan offer significantly better debt-adjusted outcomes, making this a reasonable choice for students who value Baker's accessibility and supportive environment.