Baker College vs. WMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Baker College in Owosso, MI with Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Michigan University is larger than Baker College based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 3,955 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Baker College is located in Owosso, MI (Large Suburban setting); Western Michigan University is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
• Baker College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Baker College 9:1; Western Michigan University 16:1.

Baker College vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Baker College or WMU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Baker College than WMU ($13,616 vs. $17,331).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Baker College are 37.6% lower than at Western Michigan University ($7,600 vs. $12,174).
• Western Michigan University is 17.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Baker College (about $2,252 more per year; $15,252.00 vs. $13,000.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46.4% higher at WMU than at Baker College (about $6,034 more per year; $19,034.00 vs. $13,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Michigan University than at Baker College (94% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Michigan University students is 5.1% larger than aid received by Baker College students ($11,048 vs. $10,514).

Baker College vs. WMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Baker College or WMU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between WMU and Baker College.

• Baker College reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Michigan University (1110) is 50 points higher than at Baker College (1060).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Baker College 960/1160; Western Michigan University 990/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestern Michigan University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Baker College - Open admission; WMU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Baker College Aug 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WMU students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Baker College (3.2).
• WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than Baker College (81.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.5% at Baker College vs. 13.5% at WMU.

Baker College vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Baker College and WMU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Western Michigan University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Baker College's (17%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $18,200 more per year than Baker College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $30,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Baker College graduates have a $2,662 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($23,971 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, Baker College graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($247 vs. $275).
• More WMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Baker College students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 31%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.