Baker College Nursing Programs: What to Know (2026)
Private, Michigan-based Baker College runs pre-licensure BSN and Accelerated BSN cohorts across several campuses, plus online RN-to-BSN and MSN options. Figures below come from Baker’s published outcomes and tuition pages—confirm deadlines, clinical rules, and licensure steps with Baker and Michigan LARA.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
Baker spreads pre-licensure nursing across five Michigan campuses (Cadillac, Jackson, Muskegon, Owosso, Royal Oak) with a published, campus-level NCLEX table and a competitive Professional Program Application—useful if you want a BSN close to home with transparent outcome reporting.
Overview & Why Students Choose Baker College
Baker College’s College of Nursing emphasizes multiple entry points: a four-year Traditional BSN on five Michigan campuses, an Accelerated BSN (ABSN) for career changers who already hold a bachelor’s degree, and fully online completion and graduate tracks for licensed RNs. The dean’s welcome frames the school around values such as integrity, caring, and clinical preparation—backed by simulation labs and community-based clinical experiences described on Baker’s BSN pages.
Because Baker is private and serves students statewide, many applicants weigh it against nearby community colleges and public universities; Baker’s own materials highlight limited seats, prerequisite science performance, and a formal Professional Program Application for pre-licensure tracks.
According to Baker College’s BSN outcomes page, the College of Nursing reported a 90.29% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for calendar year 2025 (121 of 134 first-time takers, aggregate across listed campuses). Confirm the next cohort with Baker and review Michigan licensing summaries from Michigan LARA — Nursing.
Reasons students choose Baker College
Multi-campus pre-licensure BSN
Traditional and Accelerated BSN cores are offered on campus in Cadillac, Jackson, Muskegon, Owosso, and Royal Oak—helpful if you want to stay in your region of Michigan.
Published NCLEX tables
Baker publishes first-time pass counts by campus and a college aggregate by calendar year, which makes it easier to compare recent cohort performance before you apply.
Simulation-first skills labs
Baker’s BSN materials describe high-fidelity simulation and structured debriefs before students transition to live clinical rotations with coordinating faculty support.
Online RN progression
RN-to-BSN and MSN tracks are delivered online (per Baker’s program format labels), which can fit working RNs balancing shifts and school.
Direct admission option
High-achieving high school seniors can explore Baker’s Direct Admission pathway for nursing (separate deadlines and GPA expectations—see Baker’s high school admissions page).
Nursing Programs Offered
The following list reflects programs named on Baker College’s undergraduate and graduate College of Nursing pages as of this review. Baker does not list a DNP nursing degree in that menu—confirm any new credentials in the catalog before you apply.
Pre-licensure (NCLEX-RN preparation)
Traditional BSN
Approximately 120 credit hours over about four years, including prerequisites and nursing major coursework; core nursing courses are on campus at the five Michigan nursing sites while gen eds/prerequisites may use Baker Online or Online Live.
Accelerated BSN (ABSN)
Accelerated BSN (ABSN)—at Baker College the program is titled Nursing (BSN) – Accelerated. It is designed for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree elsewhere; Baker describes about 62 credits completed in roughly 15 months.
Post-licensure & graduate
RN to BSN
BSN completion for licensed RNs; Baker lists core courses as online delivery.
RN to MSN
Online pathway from RN to Master of Science in Nursing (per Baker’s graduate nursing program list).
MSN Nursing Administration
Online MSN focused on leadership and administrative roles in healthcare organizations.
MSN Nursing Education
Online MSN preparing nurses for educator roles; confirm specialty courses with the catalog.
Baker’s graduate nursing pages state CCNE accreditation for the master’s nursing program. Confirm that every pathway you intend to pursue (pre-licensure BSN, ABSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN) matches the current CCNE listing and Baker’s accreditation disclosures.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to Baker College’s BSN outcomes report, the most recent full calendar year aggregate for first-time RN candidates was 90.29% in 2025 (121 passes / 134 first-time takers, College of Nursing aggregate). For 2024, the same table shows 89.88% (151 / 168). Campus-level percentages for 2025 ranged from 77% (Muskegon) to 98% (Royal Oak) in Baker’s published table—use Baker’s page for the exact pass/fail counts.
For official jurisdiction summaries, see Michigan LARA — Nursing (licensure and published NCLEX resources). This guide does not compare Baker’s rate to a Michigan aggregate because a matching benchmark table was not verified here.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (aggregate) | 90.29% (calendar year 2025; 134 first-time takers; Baker College of Nursing) |
| Prior year (context) | 89.88% (calendar year 2024; 168 first-time takers; Baker College of Nursing) |
| Source | Baker College — BSN outcomes; Michigan LARA — Nursing. Confirm current rates with Baker and Michigan licensing authorities. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort and campus. Always confirm the latest first-time pass data on Baker’s outcomes page and cross-check public Michigan nursing reports when available.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
International applicants and internationally educated nurses should treat the items below as a checklist only. Immigration rules, clinical clearance, and Michigan Board of Nursing documentation requirements change frequently.
- English-language proficiency: Confirm TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or other accepted tests and minimum scores with Baker admissions.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Determine whether Baker requires a specific evaluator (for example WES or CGFNS) for nursing prerequisites.
- Michigan nursing regulation: For RN licensure by examination or endorsement, confirm NCLEX eligibility and required documentation with Michigan LARA — Nursing.
- Immigration & visa: Pre-licensure nursing requires in-person labs and clinicals; verify F-1 (or other) eligibility and any restrictions on clinical placement.
This section is guidance, not legal advice. Verify policies with Baker College’s admissions or international office and Michigan licensing officials.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Pre-licensure nursing at Baker uses a limited-enrollment Professional Program Application. Baker states that students are ranked by GPA (including emphasis on science courses), prerequisite completion, background checks, and seat availability. Nursing is competitive: meeting minimums does not guarantee a seat.
Application timeline
| Entry Term | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spring professional programs (incl. pre-licensure nursing) | Baker notes the Professional Program Application opens March 16, 2026 | Historical example on the same page listed a March priority deadline—confirm the current priority date, transcript receipt rules, and offer timeline each cycle. |
| Direct admission (high school seniors, nursing) | February 1 senior year (per Baker BSN FAQ) | Requires minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and science grades per Baker’s direct-admission checklist. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing) | Not publicly disclosed |
| GPA (professional track ranking) | Minimum cumulative 2.7; minimum 2.7 in each listed science/lab course used in ranking (per Baker Professional Programs page) |
| Prerequisite repeats | Each prerequisite may be repeated once; no more than two prerequisite repeats total; excessive withdrawals may hurt ranking (per Baker) |
| TEAS / HESI | Not stated on the Professional Programs overview reviewed here—confirm in the current application portal instructions |
Honest tips
Science grades matter twice: Baker weights both cumulative GPA and individual science/lab performance. Complete transcripts before the stated priority deadline, and ask admissions how “in progress” grades are treated during ranking. If you are a second-degree ABSN applicant, map Baker’s ABSN prerequisites (Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, Pathophysiology, etc.) early because the accelerated sequence moves quickly once you start.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Baker publishes per-credit tuition for Fall 2025 through Summer 2026. Rates are the same for Michigan residents and out-of-state students on the schedule reviewed; military tuition reductions are listed separately.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Traditional & Accelerated BSN (pre-licensure) | $485 per credit hour; Baker lists average full-time tuition about $13,580 when assuming 28 credits/year |
| RN to BSN | $320 per credit hour ($8,960 at 28 credits/year); noted as exempt from certain Baker scholarships but may use other aid |
| RN to MSN | $500 per credit hour (graduate table) |
| Other master’s programs (incl. MSN tracks billed under standard master’s row) | $600 per credit hour unless otherwise noted on Baker’s page |
| Fees (examples) | Undergraduate technology fee $300/semester; graduate $325/semester; selected nursing courses carry supplemental course fees (e.g., $525 traditional nursing courses; $1,050 accelerated nursing courses per Baker’s fee table) |
| Source | Baker College — Fall 2025–Spring 2026 Tuition. Confirm current amounts, fees, and housing on Baker’s official tuition and student accounts pages. |
Use Baker’s Net Price Calculator and financial aid office for personalized estimates, including housing at campuses that offer residence halls.
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Graduates of Baker’s pre-licensure BSN tracks are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN. Baker’s outcomes page is the clearest public source for first-time pass rates by year and campus.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate | 90.29% college aggregate (CY 2025; Baker-reported) |
| Job placement / employment | Not publicly disclosed on the sources reviewed for this guide; see Baker career services or consumer information if published |
| Source | Baker BSN outcomes. Confirm current cohort data with Baker. |
Is Baker College the Right Fit for You?
Choose Baker if you value multiple Michigan campus options, transparent NCLEX reporting, and a formal ranking-based seat process you can plan prerequisites around. Look elsewhere if you need a fully online pre-licensure program or a large public university price point without exploring aid.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want a Traditional or Accelerated BSN delivered on campus in Cadillac, Jackson, Muskegon, Owosso, or Royal Oak
- Are comfortable with competitive, GPA-driven ranking for limited nursing seats
- Plan to stay in Michigan for clinical commuting and eventual employment
- Need an online RN-to-BSN or MSN path while working as an RN
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Require 100% online pre-licensure nursing (Baker’s BSN core is on campus)
- Prefer a single large academic medical center campus experience without traveling among regional sites
- Want guaranteed admission without meeting Baker’s professional-track GPA and science thresholds
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Michigan’s healthcare landscape mixes independent community hospitals, multi-hospital systems (for example Trinity Health, Corewell Health, McLaren, and Henry Ford–affiliated facilities in various regions), and rural critical-access hospitals. Baker’s nursing FAQ states that clinical coordinators assign rotations at partner hospitals, clinics, long-term care, and community agencies near the campus you select—exact contracts rotate and are not enumerated on the marketing page.
| Region / campus | Clinical context |
|---|---|
| Royal Oak / Metro Detroit | Dense hospital market; students typically access acute-care and ambulatory sites in the Detroit metropolitan area (confirm assignments with Baker). |
| Muskegon / West Michigan | Coastal west Michigan communities with regional medical centers and community health agencies. |
| Jackson / South Central | Mix of regional hospitals and rural health exposure within driving distance of campus. |
| Cadillac / Northern | Smaller-city hospitals plus broader northern Michigan service areas. |
| Owosso / Mid-Michigan | Mid-state community hospitals and outpatient networks; Baker’s Owosso campus also anchors many central operations. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Baker emphasizes simulation laboratories with debriefing, then progressive clinical rotations that Baker estimates at roughly 100–200 clinical hours per semester for Traditional BSN students. Campus amenities differ by location—Owosso, for example, offers housing, a student center, fitness facilities, and on-campus activities.
Ask admissions about nursing student organizations, honor societies, and tutoring; Baker references the Academic Resource Center and nursing advising in its BSN FAQ.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Primary mailing location
- Owosso, MI (main campus address below; nursing classes also run in Cadillac, Jackson, Muskegon, and Royal Oak)
- Address
- 1020 S. Washington St., Owosso, MI 48867, US
- Telephone
- (855) 487-7888 (Admissions, per Baker)
- Contact
- Use Baker College — Request Info / Contact for the current admissions email.
- Website
- www.baker.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Read Baker’s Traditional BSN or Accelerated BSN page and download the current catalog handbook section for nursing.
- Compare your transcripts to Baker’s prerequisite lists on the Professional Programs page (including ABSN-specific sciences if applicable).
- Confirm whether any entrance exam (TEAS, HESI, etc.) is required for your cycle by reading the live application instructions.
- Build a budget using Baker’s tuition table plus technology and nursing course fees.
- Attend a campus visit or virtual session at the nursing site you are considering (Cadillac, Jackson, Muskegon, Owosso, or Royal Oak).
- Bookmark BSN outcomes to monitor future NCLEX cohort updates.
- Add the Professional Program Application open date and any priority deadline to your calendar after verifying on Baker’s site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Baker College a good school for nursing?
Baker offers multiple campus-based pre-licensure pathways plus online RN completion and MSN options. Baker publishes first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates by year and campus; the college aggregate was 90.29% for calendar year 2025 on Baker’s outcomes page. Confirm CCNE scope, tuition, and clinical expectations with Baker, and confirm licensure questions with Michigan LARA.
What GPA do you need for Baker College nursing?
For the Professional Program ranking process, Baker lists a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 and a minimum 2.7 in each specified science and lab course. Baker’s BSN FAQ also references a minimum 2.0 cumulative college GPA in a broader application context and science grades of at least B- (2.7) for listed prerequisites—always follow the professional-track requirements that govern seat offers.
Does Baker College require the TEAS for nursing?
The Professional Programs overview reviewed here does not list a TEAS requirement. Check the current application portal and nursing admissions communications for any exam mandate.
What is Baker College’s NCLEX pass rate?
Per Baker’s BSN outcomes page, the College of Nursing aggregate first-time pass rate was 90.29% for calendar year 2025 (121 of 134 takers) and 89.88% for 2024 (151 of 168 takers). Campus-level percentages are also published there. Confirm the latest cohort with Baker and Michigan public nursing reports.
Does Baker College offer an Accelerated BSN?
Yes. Accelerated BSN (ABSN)—at Baker the program name is Nursing (BSN) – Accelerated—for students who already have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, roughly 62 credits in about 15 months according to Baker’s program page.
Where does Baker College offer its pre-licensure nursing programs?
Traditional and Accelerated BSN cores are taught on campus in Cadillac, Jackson, Muskegon, Owosso, and Royal Oak. RN-to-BSN and the listed MSN programs are online per Baker’s modality notes.
How much is Baker College nursing tuition?
For Fall 2025–Summer 2026, Baker lists Nursing BSN (traditional and accelerated) at $485 per credit, RN to BSN at $320 per credit, RN to MSN at $500 per credit, and most other master’s programs at $600 per credit, plus technology and program-specific course fees.
When is Baker College’s nursing application due?
Baker states the Professional Program Application opens March 16, 2026. Priority deadlines vary by cycle—verify the current closing date, transcript rules, and seat-offer timeline on Baker’s Professional Programs page.
Is Baker College nursing CCNE accredited?
Baker’s graduate nursing pages state the master’s nursing program is accredited by CCNE. Verify every program you plan to enter—including BSN tracks—on Baker’s accreditation disclosures and the CCNE directory.
Can working RNs complete a BSN online at Baker College?
Yes. Baker lists RN to BSN as an online program. Confirm clinical or practicum requirements (if any), transfer policies, and tuition notes about scholarship eligibility on Baker’s RN-to-BSN page.
References
- Baker College — College of Nursing (undergraduate)baker.edu/…/college-of-nursing
- Baker College — Traditional BSNbaker.edu/…/nursing-bsn
- Baker College — Accelerated BSNbaker.edu/…/accelerated-bsn
- Baker College — BSN outcomes / NCLEXbaker.edu/…/outcomes
- Baker College — Professional Programsbaker.edu/…/professional-programs
- Baker College — Tuition 2025–2026baker.edu/…/2025-2026-year
- Baker College — Graduate College of Nursingbaker.edu/…/graduate-…/college-of-nursing
- Michigan LARA — Nursingmichigan.gov/lara/…/nursing
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Registered Nursesbls.gov/ooh
Editorial Standards & Review
About the author: Francesco Di Siena, RN, writes evidence-based nursing education guides for NurseOnShift.
Review: This page was reviewed by Araceli Collado, RN, for NCLEX data alignment with Baker’s published outcomes tables, tuition figures against Baker’s 2025–2026 schedule, and program listings against Baker’s College of Nursing pages.
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, or financial advice. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and policies change; always verify with Baker College and Michigan nursing regulatory authorities.
Published: March 25, 2026 · Last reviewed: March 25, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy