Baker College

Student life leans heavily on clubs and programmed events, with the Student Activities Council organizing activities like 'movies on the lawn' and hypnotist shows—all advertised as free. However, only 63% of students live in college-affiliated housing, and Niche reviews suggest campus vibrancy is inconsistent. The college promotes a 'dynamic and supportive' environment, but its commuter-heavy population (37% live off-campus) may dilute traditional collegiate engagement. Social media highlights events like game nights and career fairs, though these appear more transactional (e.g., resume workshops) than transformative.

Baker’s outcomes are alarmingly weak by national standards: a 31% graduation rate places it in the bottom 10% of U.S. colleges. Federal data shows that a decade after enrolling, fewer than half of former students earn over $28,000/year—the lowest rate among comparable Michigan schools. The U.S. Education Department fined Baker $2.5 million in 2021 for publishing 'misleading or inaccurate career outcomes rates.' Some programs defy this trend (e.g., Health IT reports a 73% employment rate), but median earnings one year post-graduation are just $36,427, lagging behind state and national averages.

Baker aggressively markets affordability, pledging to cover '100% of undergraduate tuition' via aid and scholarships. The average net price is $13,719/year after aid, with some students paying as little as $100/credit hour. However, this promise requires scrutiny: the 'tuition' figure may not include fees, and the college’s low graduation rates mean many students incur debt without earning degrees. Federal College Scorecard data shows Baker students borrow more and earn less than peers at similar institutions, raising questions about the true ROI of its aid packages.

Baker College stands out for its jarring contradictions: it combines open access (87.5% acceptance) with dismal completion rates (31%), and while it promotes '100% tuition' aid, its graduates’ earnings lag far behind peers. Its career-focused curriculum in nursing and IT appeals to non-traditional students, but federal fines for misleading job stats undermine trust. For learners seeking quick entry into vocational programs—and who can persist despite institutional red flags—Baker offers a path. For most, it’s a cautionary tale about the gap between marketing and measurable outcomes in for-profit-adjacent higher ed.