If you’ve been researching private colleges in the Midwest, chances are you’re looking for a school with smaller class sizes and a close-knit community. At the same time, you may have experienced “sticker shock” when adding up the costs of tuition, fees, and other expenses demanded by many private colleges in Michigan and the surrounding states.
Before you rule out private college entirely, check out Baker College. With several campuses to choose from throughout Michigan, we pride ourselves on our affordable tuition and personalized, career-focused programs.
The Appeal of Private Colleges
What is a private college, exactly? Simply put, a private college is a higher education institution that’s funded independently (meaning they generally don’t receive money from the government). Oftentimes, these schools are funded through a combination of donations, endowments, and tuition costs.
Many students gravitate toward private education institutions because of their reputation for offering high-quality instruction, individualized attention, and small campus communities. Of course, a private education also has a reputation for being more expensive than a public education — although a little research will prove that isn’t always the case.
At Baker College, our tuition costs compare very favorably to the average tuition at private colleges in Michigan and throughout the Midwest. We don’t just break the mold by offering more affordable tuition; we also offer generous scholarships and strong career outcomes for our students, making Baker a practical choice for many learners interested in small private colleges without a big price tag.
Understanding the Cost of Private Education
Because private colleges don’t receive government funding, they typically rely on other sources of funding, including tuition — which can drive up costs when compared to public colleges.
Average Private College Tuition
There are many factors that can affect a private college’s tuition, including:
- Location
- Tuition and fees
- Room and board expenses
- Whether the school is nonprofit or for-profit
- Whether you’re paying in-state or out-of-state tuition
According to the Education Data Initiative, the national average cost of tuition at a private, four-year institution (for-profit or nonprofit) is $35,248.
Why Private Colleges Usually Cost More
As mentioned above, private colleges don’t usually receive government funding to operate. While donations and endowments can help with funding, private colleges often depend heavily on higher tuition fees to keep things running.
Private colleges also typically have smaller class sizes that deliver a more personalized education, further adding to costs. Finally, many private colleges are investing significantly more in campus facilities and technology — and they need tuition and fees to help compensate for those costs.
Baker College’s Tuition Advantage
Of course, attending a private college doesn’t have to mean paying significantly more for your education. At Baker College, we strive to keep a private education as accessible as possible without sacrificing the personalized attention, small class sizes, and community feel that our students are looking for.
Affordable Tuition by Design
Compared to many other small private colleges, Baker is committed to being completely transparent in its pricing — with no hidden fees or unexpected costs. You can view our undergraduate and graduate tuition rates clearly on our website. Here, you’ll see a breakdown of per-credit-hour costs for each program, as well as the average full-time tuition cost for each program. We’ve also clearly indicated which programs are offered without student or program fees, allowing for easier financial planning.
How Baker Compares to Midwest Peers
We encourage you to look at the average private college tuition in Michigan and other areas of the Midwest to see first-hand how much more affordable a private education is at Baker College. Whether you’re interested in pursuing your undergraduate or graduate degree, our cost of attendance is lower than the regional average, making a private education more attainable for many.
Financial Aid and Scholarships: Baker’s Differentiator
In addition to offering more affordable, competitive, and transparent tuition, Baker College sets itself apart with its robust institutional aid and scholarship options. These can help take some of the burden off paying for an education.
Institutional Scholarships
At Baker College, we understand that every student’s financial situation is unique, which is why we offer a wide range of financial aid and scholarship options. In 2025 alone, we’ve delivered more than a dozen scholarships for adult learners, first-generation college students, transfer students, and more. Furthermore, specific programs and campus organizations also have their own scholarships that may be merit- or need-based.
All these offerings make it possible for Baker to provide a private education at a lower net cost when compared to many other private schools in the region.
Strong Commitment to Institutional Aid
In addition to completing your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see if you qualify for any financial aid through the federal government, we recommend exploring Baker College’s institutional aid offerings — which include not just the aforementioned scholarships, but grants and other opportunities that make private education more accessible.
Baker’s Value Beyond Price
Aside from our more affordable pricing, pursuing your education at Baker College also means securing a highly personalized education with career-focused curricula to prepare you for the workforce.
Personalized Education
No matter which program you choose, you can enjoy small class sizes that provide more individualized attention and instruction. Baker College offers strong advising support for both undergraduate and graduate students, and all classes are taught by faculty with real-world expertise.
Career-Focused Curriculum
The curricula of our programs at Baker are consistently reviewed by our expert faculty to ensure that the coursework aligns with the current needs and trends of the workforce. With an emphasis on experiential learning through internships, practicums, and work experience opportunities, students can enter the job market with the confidence and foundational skills they need to succeed.
Common Misconceptions About Private College Costs
Have you fallen for any of these common myths about attending a private college?
Private Colleges Are Always More Expensive Than Public Schools
Many prospective students assume that a private college’s tuition will be higher than tuition at a public school. However, this simply isn’t always the case — especially at Baker. With our affordable tuition rates and generous financial aid, total costs often compete with (or even beat) those of public universities. This is especially true when you factor in out-of-state public tuition costs.
High Tuition Means Higher Quality
You’ve probably heard the phrase, “you get what you pay for,” but the reality is that paying more money for your college degree doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll enjoy a superior education. At Baker College, we’re committed to demonstrating that affordability doesn’t have to mean compromising quality. With small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and career-focused programs, we’re able to rival even some of the most expensive Midwest private colleges.
Financial Aid is Limited at Private Colleges
While some private education institutions may be limited in their financial aid options, this isn’t the case at Baker. Here, we believe in offering substantial scholarships and other institutional aid, making it possible for more students to afford a private education.
Lower Tuition Means Fewer Resources
If you think lower-cost private institutions lack resources such as modern facilities, student support services, and experienced faculty, think again. Baker College counters this misconception with state-of-the-art facilities (like our first-in-the-state laparoscopic simulation lab), career-focused resources, and faculty members who bring valuable industry expertise directly into the classroom.
Scholarships at Private Colleges Are Only for High Achievers
Some aspiring college students may assume that scholarships are only available to top-performing students. That’s not the case at Baker College, where we offer both merit- and need-based scholarships to help level the playing field. Certain programs may also offer scholarships for specific career paths and unique student backgrounds, making funding more widely accessible.
How to Determine If Baker Is Right for You
Could a private education at Baker College be right for you? If you answer “yes” to most or all of these questions, then it may be time to get in touch:
- I’m looking for an education with small class sizes and personalized attention.
- I want to offset my private education costs with robust financial aid options.
- I’m looking for a program that’s career-focused and taught by knowledgeable and experienced faculty members.
- I want a private education in the Midwest, but I’m not ready to pay a hefty price tag.
- I prefer a campus community with a tight-knit feel.
Making Private Education Accessible at Baker College
If you’re looking for a private college where you can receive the personalized attention you deserve with a tight-knit community feel, Baker College has more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs to choose from. And unlike many other private colleges across the Midwest, Baker offers lower-cost tuition and plenty of financial aid options (including scholarships) for those who qualify. Learn more about what sets us apart from other private colleges in the Midwest by reaching out today. Then, get started with your online application for admission!