Franklin Pierce University stands out for its commitment to student success, demonstrated through exceptional loan repayment patterns and zero federal loan defaults.
The university's focused approach to health sciences and professional programs creates clear pathways to stable careers, particularly for students seeking personalized attention in their academic journey.
Franklin Pierce University is a small private nonprofit institution in Rindge, New Hampshire, serving about 1,800 students in a close-knit campus environment. The university focuses heavily on health sciences and professional programs, with nursing and health services representing its strongest academic areas. While Franklin Pierce doesn't rank among the top-tier institutions for overall earnings outcomes, it provides solid career preparation in specialized fields.
Graduates earn a median of $53,353 ten years after enrollment, which places the university around the middle of the national distribution for similar institutions. The university's strength lies in its focused program offerings, particularly in nursing where graduates see substantially higher earnings, and its commitment to supporting students through completion. With a 46% six-year graduation rate and strong loan repayment patterns, Franklin Pierce demonstrates its ability to help students finish their degrees and manage their financial obligations successfully.
As a small private college, Franklin Pierce offers the personalized attention and tight-knit community that many students value, though families should expect higher net prices typical of private institutions. The university serves as an "Opportunity Builder" in terms of mobility outcomes, providing pathways for students who might not otherwise access higher education while working to improve their long-term prospects.
Franklin Pierce University's program portfolio reflects its focus on practical, career-oriented education with particular strength in health sciences. The Adult Health Nursing program represents the university's highest-return offering, graduating 25 students annually who earn around $75,921 ten years out, demonstrating the strong market demand for advanced nursing professionals. This specialized program showcases how focused professional preparation can lead to excellent outcomes even at a smaller institution.
Health Services forms the university's largest program with 72 graduates, though earnings in this broader field average $25,967, reflecting the wide range of career paths within health-related fields. The Accounting Technology program graduates 24 students who earn about $43,798, showing solid outcomes in business-focused areas as well. These programs reflect Franklin Pierce's emphasis on practical skills and direct connections to regional employers.
As a small institution, Franklin Pierce graduates focused cohorts that benefit from close faculty mentorship and individualized career guidance. The university's concentrated program offerings allow for deep industry connections and specialized training that serves students well in New Hampshire's healthcare and business sectors, even if overall enrollment numbers remain modest compared to larger institutions.
Franklin Pierce University graduates earn a median of $53,353 ten years after enrollment, placing the institution around the middle of the national earnings distribution. While overall earnings are moderate, the university shows particular strength in health-related fields where career outcomes are substantially stronger. The university's focused approach to professional preparation helps students enter stable, growing industries even if starting salaries aren't at the highest levels.
The university's standout program is Adult Health Nursing, which graduates about 25 students annually who earn around $75,921 ten years out, reflecting the strong demand for advanced nursing professionals. Health Services represents the largest program with 72 graduates, though earnings in this broader field average $25,967, showing the wide variation in health-related career paths. Accounting Technology graduates earn about $43,798, demonstrating solid outcomes in business-focused programs as well.
Franklin Pierce's career preparation model emphasizes practical skills and direct pathways into employment rather than maximizing starting salaries. The university's small size allows for close mentorship and individualized career guidance, which helps explain why loan repayment rates remain strong even with moderate earnings levels. Students benefit from focused programs that connect directly to regional employers, particularly in New Hampshire's healthcare and business sectors.
Franklin Pierce University's private status means higher net prices across all income levels, though the university provides meaningful financial aid to help offset costs. Low-income students pay about $22,101 annually after aid, while middle-income families see net prices around $25,652, and higher-income families pay approximately $28,583. These prices reflect the typical premium associated with small private colleges but remain within the range of many regional private institutions.
Debt levels require careful consideration, as typical graduates leave with $27,000 in federal student loans and families often take on an additional $31,599 in Parent PLUS loans. The combined borrowing can create meaningful monthly payments, though Franklin Pierce graduates show strong loan repayment patterns with no federal loan defaults recorded. The university's focus on career-oriented programs helps ensure that graduates enter fields with steady employment prospects, which supports their ability to manage debt obligations over time.
Franklin Pierce University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
