Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Washtenaw Community College vs Baker College: which has better ROI?

Public, Ann Arbor MI · vs · Private nonprofit, Owosso MI

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Washtenaw Community College comes closer — median earnings $39,449 against a $12,996 total, vs $35,833 at Baker College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureWashtenaw Community CollegeBaker College
Net price / yr$3,249$13,157
Total net cost$12,996$52,628
Median earnings, 10 yrs$39,449$35,833
Median debt$13,310$25,000
Payback
20-year net return-$191,216-$303,168

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

Which is cheaper, Washtenaw Community College or Baker College?

Washtenaw Community College, at $3,249 a year after aid versus $13,157 — a gap of $9,908 a year, or $39,632 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Washtenaw Community College or Baker College graduates earn more?

Washtenaw Community College graduates report a median $39,449 ten years after entry, $3,616 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, Washtenaw Community College or Baker College?

Washtenaw Community College: its completers carry a median $13,310 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Baker College, a difference of $11,690. 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 33% at Washtenaw 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.

Washtenaw Community College vs Baker College: frequently asked questions

Is Washtenaw Community College or Baker College a better value?
Washtenaw 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, Washtenaw Community College or Baker College?
Washtenaw Community College: $3,249/yr net price after aid versus $13,157/yr at Baker College — a difference of $9,908 a year, or about $39,632 over four years.
Do Washtenaw Community College or Baker College graduates earn more?
Washtenaw Community College graduates earn a median $39,449 ten years after entry, versus $35,833 at Baker College — a $3,616 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.