Baker College is a private college with its main campus in Owosso, Michigan, United States. It was founded in 1911 and (as of 2023) has four additional campuses throughout the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. The college has been accused of predatory practices. In 2022, a ProPublica and Detroit Free Press investigation titled "The Nonprofit College That Spends More on Marketing Than Financial Aid" highlighted its low graduation rate and high student debt rate compared to comparable institutions, as well as its unconventional management structure. That month, Baker College threatened legal action against a former faculty member relating to a non-disparagement clause included in a settlement with Baker.

History

Baker College started as Baker Business University, which was founded in Flint, Michigan, in 1911, by Eldon E. Baker. In 1965 it merged with Muskegon College when representatives of the Jewell family, who owned and managed Muskegon College, bought Baker Business University. The university changed its name to Baker Junior College in 1974 and became a non-profit corporation in 1977. In 2008, a closed auto dealership in Flint, Michigan was renovated and transformed into the Baker College Center for Transportation technology, opening to students in 2009. Baker College's Culinary Institute of Michigan (CIM) opened in 2009 to students interested in studying culinary arts, baking and pastry arts, and food and beverage management. The three-story, 39000 sqft facility in downtown Muskegon, Michigan began construction in the spring of 2008. Baker College of Cadillac opened its new Center for Transportation and Technology in 2010. In 2011, the Culinary Institute of Michigan is granted Exemplary Status accreditation through the American Culinary Federation (ACF). The Baker College system celebrates its 100th anniversary. In 2020, Baker relocated its main campus from Flint, Michigan, to Owosso, Michigan. In addition, the Clinton Township and Allen Park campuses were closed, with operations relocated to Auburn Hills, Michigan. In turn, the Auburn Hills campus was closed in early 2023 with the move to the new, purpose-built facility in downtown Royal Oak.

Campuses

Baker College has primarily grown through two methods: establishing new campuses and purchasing and rebranding existing small schools (for example, their Auburn Hills campus was once the Pontiac School of Business). They currently maintain fourteen ground campuses as well as an online college. Each campus is its own business entity, while an overarching Baker College Professional Services, Inc., coordinates campuses and services. Current campuses include:

Academics

National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition

Baker College won the National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition: 2008, 2009. Baker College won the Michigan Collegiate Cyber Defense Network state championships in: 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018., 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2024. They won the Michigan Collegiate Cyber Defense Network Cyber Wars championship: 2012. In 2019, Baker College was included in the Michigan Collegiate Cyber Defense Network Hall of Fame for being the only educational institution in the United States to win the national championship twice as well as for first and second place in multiple cyber defense competitions.

Notable alumni