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Baker College vs L'esprit Academy: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Owosso MI · vs · Private for-profit, Canton MI

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Baker College comes closer — median earnings $35,833 against a $52,628 total, vs $22,440 at L'esprit Academy. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBaker CollegeL'esprit Academy
Net price / yr$13,157$22,279
Total net cost$52,628$89,116
Median earnings, 10 yrs$35,833$22,440
Median debt$25,000$6,333
Payback
20-year net return-$303,168-$607,516

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

Which is cheaper, Baker College or L'esprit Academy?

Baker College, at $13,157 a year after aid versus $22,279 — a gap of $9,122 a year, or $36,488 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 L'esprit Academy graduates earn more?

Baker College graduates report a median $35,833 ten years after entry, $13,393 more than the $22,440 at L'esprit Academy. 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 L'esprit Academy?

L'esprit Academy: its completers carry a median $6,333 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Baker College, a difference of $18,667. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

88% of students finish at L'esprit Academy, against 36% at Baker 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 L'esprit Academy: frequently asked questions

Is Baker College or L'esprit Academy a better value?
Baker 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 L'esprit Academy?
Baker College: $13,157/yr net price after aid versus $22,279/yr at L'esprit Academy — a difference of $9,122 a year, or about $36,488 over four years.
Do Baker College or L'esprit Academy graduates earn more?
Baker College graduates earn a median $35,833 ten years after entry, versus $22,440 at L'esprit Academy — a $13,393 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.