Degree Dividend
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Baker College vs Kirtland Community College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Owosso MI · vs · Public, Grayling MI

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Kirtland Community College comes closer — median earnings $35,831 against a $14,912 total, vs $35,833 at Baker College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBaker CollegeKirtland Community College
Net price / yr$13,157$7,456
Total net cost$52,628$14,912
Median earnings, 10 yrs$35,833$35,831
Median debt$25,000$13,067
Payback
20-year net return-$303,168-$265,492

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Baker College or Kirtland Community College?

Kirtland Community College, at $7,456 a year after aid versus $13,157 — a gap of $5,701 a year, or $37,716 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Baker College or Kirtland Community College graduates earn more?

Baker College graduates report a median $35,833 ten years after entry, $2 more than the $35,831 at Kirtland Community College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Baker College or Kirtland Community College?

Kirtland Community College: its completers carry a median $13,067 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Baker College, a difference of $11,933. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

36% of students finish at Baker College, against 34% at Kirtland Community College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Baker College vs Kirtland Community College: frequently asked questions

Is Baker College or Kirtland Community College a better value?
Kirtland Community College comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Baker College or Kirtland Community College?
Kirtland Community College: $7,456/yr net price after aid versus $13,157/yr at Baker College — a difference of $5,701 a year, or about $37,716 over four years.
Do Baker College or Kirtland Community College graduates earn more?
Baker College graduates earn a median $35,833 ten years after entry, versus $35,831 at Kirtland Community College — a $2 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.