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Baker University vs Pratt Community College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Baldwin City KS · vs · Public, Pratt KS

The verdict

Baker University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $101,204 in 6.5 years versus 11 years at Pratt Community College, on median earnings of $63,855 vs $51,892 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBaker UniversityPratt Community College
Net price / yr$25,301$9,731
Total net cost$101,204$38,924
Median earnings, 10 yrs$63,855$51,892
Median debt$25,000$6,500
Payback6.5 yrs11 yrs
20-year net return$208,696$31,716

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

Which is cheaper, Baker University or Pratt Community College?

Pratt Community College, at $9,731 a year after aid versus $25,301 — a gap of $15,570 a year, or $62,280 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 University or Pratt Community College graduates earn more?

Baker University graduates report a median $63,855 ten years after entry, $11,963 more than the $51,892 at Pratt 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 University or Pratt Community College?

Pratt Community College: its completers carry a median $6,500 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Baker University, a difference of $18,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

58% of students finish at Baker University, against 45% at Pratt 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 University vs Pratt Community College: frequently asked questions

Is Baker University or Pratt Community College a better value?
Baker University. It clears its $101,204 net cost in about 6.5 years versus 11 years at Pratt Community College, on median earnings of $63,855 vs $51,892 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Baker University or Pratt Community College?
Pratt Community College: $9,731/yr net price after aid versus $25,301/yr at Baker University — a difference of $15,570 a year, or about $62,280 over four years.
Do Baker University or Pratt Community College graduates earn more?
Baker University graduates earn a median $63,855 ten years after entry, versus $51,892 at Pratt Community College — a $11,963 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.