Baker College
Baker College is a private, non-profit Michigan university founded in 1911, operating six campuses statewide and Baker Online, serving 4,500 degree students plus 926 non-credit learners across 80+ programs in business, healthcare, IT, culinary, and skilled trades, differentiated by the BeFree Tuition Guarantee.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1911
- HeadquartersAllen Park, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Baker College does
Baker College is a private, non-profit higher education institution founded in 1911 and non-profit since 1977, headquartered in Owosso, Michigan, and operating six campuses statewide (Owosso, Royal Oak, Muskegon, Jackson, Cadillac, Port Huron) alongside Baker Online, which has been operational since 1994. The institution offers 80+ degree programs across colleges of Business, Health Sciences, Nursing, Information Technology and Engineering, Education, Culinary Arts, and Liberal Arts, including specialized affiliated institutions — the Culinary Institute of Michigan and the Auto/Diesel Institute of Michigan. A Computer Science concentration with an Artificial Intelligence focus signals alignment with emerging workforce demand, and the institution has been externally recognized for AI integration leadership.
The business model is tuition-driven across three streams: recurring tuition and fees for credit-bearing undergraduate and graduate programs (delivered on-campus and online), recurring revenue from student housing and meal plans at four campuses, and transactional revenue from non-credit continuing-education programs (926 non-credit learners across bootcamps in cybersecurity, HVAC/R, electrical, CAPM/PMP, and cloud engineering). Pricing is anchored by the BeFree Tuition Guarantee, which covers 100% of tuition for eligible undergraduate students online or on campus — positioning Baker as one of Michigan's most affordable colleges. Go-to-market is sales-led via admissions counseling, campus visits, articulation agreements (Michigan Transfer Agreement), and digital channels (website, SEO, social, email). Customer segments include traditional undergraduates, graduate students, adult learners, military/veterans, dual-enrollment high schoolers, and transfer students.
Operations are supported by 101-250 employees and governed under President Jacqui Spicer. Accreditation is held from the Higher Learning Commission, with NC-SARA reciprocity enabling cross-state online enrollment, and the institution maintains compliance with FERPA, HIPAA, GLBA, and Title IX. Per the 2026 President's Report, Baker reports $3 billion in statewide economic impact, $701.4 million in added student income, and support for 20,355 jobs — figures that frame the institution's value proposition around workforce development rather than research output.
Baker College firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Baker College
- Legal name
- Baker College
- Website
- https://baker.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1911
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Baker College is a private, non-profit Michigan university founded in 1911, operating six campuses statewide and Baker Online, serving 4,500 degree students plus 926 non-credit learners across 80+ programs in business, healthcare, IT, culinary, and skilled trades, differentiated by the BeFree Tuition Guarantee.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Baker College industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Professional Culinary Arts (Chef Training) (EDAOAKAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Bread & Artisan Baking (EDAOAKAC)
Keywords
Where Baker College is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Allen Park
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices6 records
Markets served
Baker College business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Tuition and Fees: Revenue generated from student tuition for credit-bearing degree programs at undergraduate and graduate levels, both online and on-campus. Includes fees for various academic and student services.
- Non-Credit Continuing Education: Revenue from non-credit professional development, career training programs, and continuing education courses serving 926 non-credit learners.
- Student Housing and Facilities: Revenue from student housing operations at Owosso, Muskegon, Cadillac, and Port Huron campuses, including meal plans and facility services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | BeFree Tuition Guarantee - 100% tuition coverage |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
Baker College product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Baker College is a private, not-for-profit higher education institution offering 80+ undergraduate, graduate, adult learner, and continuing education degree programs across business, health sciences, nursing, IT/engineering, education, and skilled trades. Programs are delivered through six Michigan campuses and the Baker Online platform (operational since 1994), with financial support via the BeFree Tuition Guarantee covering 100% of tuition for eligible undergraduates.
Product overview
Baker College is a non-profit higher education institution founded in 1911, offering 80+ degrees in emerging fields through a multi-campus presence and online platform. The institution operates through its main Baker Online platform (established 1994), six physical Michigan campuses (Royal Oak, Owosso, Muskegon, Jackson, Cadillac, Port Huron), and two affiliated institutions (Culinary Institute of Michigan, Auto/Diesel Institute of Michigan). Programs span colleges of Business, Education, Information Technology and Engineering, Health Science, Nursing, Social Science, and Liberal Arts and Sciences. Financial support is provided through the BeFree Tuition Guarantee. Students access academic services via the MYBAKER portal and BakerMail systems.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Baker Online Online learning platform offering 80+ degree programs delivered digitally, with self-service enrollment available to remote students.
- BeFree Tuition Guarantee Tuition guarantee program covering 100% of tuition costs for eligible undergraduate students, available online or on campus, billed annually.
- Culinary Institute of Michigan Wholly-owned affiliated culinary arts institution with campuses in Muskegon and Port Huron offering programs in Culinary Arts, Baking and Pastry, and Food and Beverage Management.
- Auto/Diesel Institute of Michigan Wholly-owned affiliated automotive and diesel training institution offering Automotive Services Technology and Diesel Service Technology programs, headquartered at the Owosso campus.
- Continuing Education Programs Non-credit career-focused training including Cybersecurity Boot Camp, Online Electrical Technician Training, Online Certified HVAC/R Technician, CAPM and PMP Certification Prep, and Cloud Engineer IT Professional Program.
- Baker College Campuses Six physical campus locations across Michigan (Royal Oak, Owosso, Muskegon, Jackson, Cadillac, Port Huron) providing on-campus degree programs, student housing, and student services.
Quantifiable outcome
- $3 billion total economic impact across Michigan with support for 20,355 jobs
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Baker College
Customer profileSegments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Baker College technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Baker College partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Healthcare Industry PartnerscoreBaker College maintains industry partnerships across healthcare, professional services, skilled trades, and food service sectors to support workforce development and student employment outcomes. The institution's $3 billion economic impact report highlights job support across these industries.
- MTA (Michigan Transfer Agreement)minorArticulation agreement with Michigan Transfer Agreement enabling seamless transfer of college credits between institutions.
- McLaren OaklandminorPartnership with McLaren Oakland healthcare facility for nursing student clinical rotations and practical experience.
- Pine Rest Nursing AcademyminorPartnership with Pine Rest Nursing Academy for specialized nursing education and training programs.
- Local Law Enforcement AgenciesminorCampus Safety maintains close working relationships with local law enforcement agencies at each campus location for campus security and emergency response coordination.
- National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA)minorBaker College is an approved institution of NC-SARA enabling authorized distance education across state lines.
- The Higher Learning CommissioncoreInstitutional accreditation by The Higher Learning Commission, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Baker College competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Western Governors University: A large, accredited online non-profit university offering competency-based degrees at scale with a low-cost tuition model. Comparable as a non-profit online university emphasizing affordability and workforce-aligned programs, but at significantly larger national scale.
- Southern New Hampshire University: A large private non-profit university with one of the largest online enrollments in the U.S., offering affordable undergraduate and graduate programs. Comparable as a non-profit online-focused university competing for the same adult and online learner segments, but at substantially greater scale.
Emerging players
- Purdue University Global: An online for-profit university affiliated with Purdue serving working adults and career-focused learners nationwide. Comparable as an online career-oriented institution competing for adult learners and veterans seeking flexible, workforce-aligned degrees.
- University of Phoenix: A large for-profit online university offering career-focused undergraduate and graduate programs to working adults. Comparable as an online, adult-learner-focused institution competing for similar non-traditional and veteran student populations.
Direct peers
- Siena Heights University: A private, not-for-profit university headquartered in Michigan with a long-standing articulation and transfer relationship with Baker College. Comparable as a regional private non-profit serving similar undergraduate and adult learner segments in Michigan.
- Aquinas College: A private Catholic liberal arts college in Grand Rapids, Michigan with undergraduate, graduate, and online programs. Comparable as a private Michigan non-profit institution competing for in-state traditional and adult learners.
- Lawrence Technological University: A private university in Southfield, Michigan offering career-focused programs in business, engineering, IT, and health sciences. Comparable as a Michigan private non-profit with similar program mix and target student profile.
- University of Detroit Mercy: A private Catholic university in Detroit with multiple colleges including business, health, and engineering. Comparable as a private Michigan non-profit offering career-oriented undergraduate and graduate programs to a similar demographic mix.
- Spring Arbor University: A private Christian university in Spring Arbor, Michigan with a strong online division serving adult learners nationwide. Comparable as a Michigan-based private university with online and on-campus offerings targeting similar learner segments.
- Madonna University: A private Catholic university in Livonia, Michigan offering undergraduate, graduate, and online programs. Comparable as a Michigan-based private non-profit university competing for similar in-state undergraduate, transfer, and adult learner populations.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Baker College social profiles
Digital presenceBaker College compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance8 records
Baker College financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Baker College leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Baker College subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Baker College funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Baker College M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Baker College
What does Baker College do?
Baker College is a private, not-for-profit higher education institution offering 80+ undergraduate, graduate, adult learner, and continuing education degree programs across business, health sciences, nursing, IT/engineering, education, and skilled trades. Programs are delivered through six Michigan campuses and the Baker Online platform (operational since 1994), with financial support via the BeFree Tuition Guarantee covering 100% of tuition for eligible undergraduates.
Is Baker College a public or private company?
Baker College is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Baker College founded?
Baker College was founded in 1911. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Baker College based?
Baker College is headquartered in Allen Park, United States, in the North America region.
How does Baker College make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Tuition and Fees are the primary driver. The others are non-Credit Continuing Education and student Housing and Facilities.
Who are Baker College's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Western Governors University and Southern New Hampshire University. Emerging players are Purdue University Global and University of Phoenix. Direct peers are Siena Heights University, Aquinas College, Lawrence Technological University, University of Detroit Mercy, Spring Arbor University and Madonna University.
Does Baker College have an API?
No public API is recorded for Baker College.
What industry is Baker College in?
Baker College's product category is Higher Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAOAKAA, Professional Culinary Arts (Chef Training), with a secondary code of EDAOAKAC, Bread & Artisan Baking. Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.