Degree Dividend
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Davenport University vs Baker College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Grand Rapids MI · vs · Private nonprofit, Owosso MI

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Davenport University comes closer — median earnings $45,099 against a $70,828 total, vs $35,833 at Baker College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureDavenport UniversityBaker College
Net price / yr$17,707$13,157
Total net cost$70,828$52,628
Median earnings, 10 yrs$45,099$35,833
Median debt$26,000$25,000
Payback
20-year net return-$136,048-$303,168

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

Which is cheaper, Davenport University or Baker College?

Baker College, at $13,157 a year after aid versus $17,707 — a gap of $4,550 a year, or $18,200 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Davenport University or Baker College graduates earn more?

Davenport University graduates report a median $45,099 ten years after entry, $9,266 more than the $35,833 at Baker 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, Davenport University or Baker College?

Baker College: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $26,000 at Davenport University, a difference of $1,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

57% of students finish at Davenport University, 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.

Davenport University vs Baker College: frequently asked questions

Is Davenport University or Baker College a better value?
Davenport University 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, Davenport University or Baker College?
Baker College: $13,157/yr net price after aid versus $17,707/yr at Davenport University — a difference of $4,550 a year, or about $18,200 over four years.
Do Davenport University or Baker College graduates earn more?
Davenport University graduates earn a median $45,099 ten years after entry, versus $35,833 at Baker College — a $9,266 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.