Franklin College graduates achieve earnings that consistently exceed expectations, with median ten-year outcomes placing them well above national averages for similar institutions.
The college's strong financial outcomes are reinforced by exceptional debt management, as graduates demonstrate faster-than-average loan repayment and maintain perfect default rate performance.
Franklin College is a small private nonprofit institution in Franklin, Indiana, that delivers above-average long-term earnings outcomes for its graduates. While comprehensive national rankings aren't available for this institution, Franklin College performs notably well in the return pillar, with graduates earning a median of $55,376 ten years after enrollment—placing the college in the 62nd percentile nationally for earnings outcomes.
What distinguishes Franklin College is its ability to serve a diverse student body while maintaining strong financial outcomes. Nearly 39% of students receive Pell Grants and about 29% are first-generation college students, yet the institution consistently delivers earnings that exceed expectations. The college's small size creates an intimate learning environment where students receive personalized attention, contributing to solid completion rates and career preparation.
As a private liberal arts college, Franklin College offers the benefits of small class sizes and close faculty relationships while producing graduates who compete effectively in the job market. The institution's focus on undergraduate education, combined with its track record of supporting students from various economic backgrounds, makes it a compelling option for families seeking both academic quality and long-term financial returns in a traditional college setting.
While specific program-level data isn't available for Franklin College, the institution's consistent earnings performance across its graduate population suggests broad-based career preparation through its liberal arts curriculum. The college's small size allows for personalized attention across all academic programs, with faculty able to provide individualized mentorship and career guidance that contributes to graduates' long-term success.
Franklin College's approach emphasizes developing transferable skills—critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving—that serve graduates well across diverse career paths. The fact that 196 graduates earn more than $75,000 annually demonstrates the college's ability to prepare students for higher-earning trajectories despite not having large-scale programs in traditionally high-earning fields like engineering or computer science.
The institution's strength lies in its comprehensive liberal arts foundation, which provides graduates with the adaptability and intellectual framework needed for career advancement over time. This broad-based preparation appears particularly effective given the college's above-average earnings outcomes and positive earnings beyond expectations performance, suggesting that Franklin College's educational approach successfully translates into marketplace value for its graduates.
Franklin College graduates achieve solid long-term financial outcomes that reflect the value of a private liberal arts education. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $55,376, placing the college in the 62nd percentile nationally for earnings—well above the typical performance of similar institutions. The college also demonstrates positive earnings beyond expectations, with graduates earning about $58 more annually than similar students at comparable institutions, indicating effective career preparation and alumni network support.
Early career progression shows steady growth, with graduates earning $45,635 six years after enrollment and continuing to see meaningful increases through the ten-year mark. This trajectory suggests that Franklin College's liberal arts foundation provides graduates with adaptable skills that translate into career advancement over time. The college's small size allows for personalized career counseling and strong faculty mentorship, contributing to graduates' ability to navigate early career transitions successfully.
While specific program-level data isn't available, Franklin College's consistent earnings performance across its graduate population indicates broad-based career preparation. The institution's emphasis on critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills—hallmarks of liberal arts education—appears to serve graduates well in diverse career paths. With 196 graduates earning more than $75,000 annually, the college demonstrates its ability to prepare students for higher-earning career trajectories despite its small size.
Franklin College presents a mixed affordability picture that requires careful family planning. Low-income students pay approximately $19,031 annually after aid, while middle-income families see similar costs at $18,436—both figures representing significant investments but with substantial institutional support. High-income families face higher net prices around $28,694, reflecting the college's private tuition structure with more limited aid availability at upper income levels.
The college's affordability challenge lies primarily in its debt structure rather than net price alone. Typical graduates leave with $27,000 in federal student loan debt, a moderate level that aligns with national averages for private institutions. However, families also utilize Parent PLUS loans averaging $24,100, bringing total family borrowing to over $50,000 for many students. This debt load requires careful consideration of family financial capacity and post-graduation earning potential.
What makes Franklin College's debt levels more manageable is the institution's strong repayment performance. The college maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that graduates successfully manage their debt obligations. Additionally, loan repayment data shows that borrowers pay down balances faster than national averages, with the college ranking in the 90th percentile for early repayment progress. This suggests that despite higher upfront costs, Franklin College graduates develop the financial stability needed to handle their educational investments responsibly.
Franklin College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
