At $22,762/yr net price, Franklin College graduates earn $55,376/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $21,376/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $22,762 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $91,048 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $55,376/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$21,376/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 63.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $19,031/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $18,645/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $18,436/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $25,471/yr |
| $110,001+ | $28,694/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $38,829 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $26,353 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $24,421 | $26,000 |
The Risk Factor
63.4% of students at Franklin College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 37% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Franklin College gives you a middling financial return with real risks attached. You pay about $22,762 a year and leave with $27,000 in median debt, but median earnings ten years out land at $55,376. That's a livable salary, not a windfall, and the gap between what you borrow and what you earn depends heavily on your major.
The program-level numbers are the warning sign here. Teacher Education graduates earn $38,829, Psychology graduates $26,353, and Biology graduates $24,421 in the years measured after finishing. All three carry roughly $26,000 to $27,000 in debt. That means you can take on full debt for a Biology degree and earn less than $25,000, which does not cover repayment comfortably. Teacher Education pays the best of the three but still sits well below the college-wide median, so the strong overall earnings figure is being driven by majors not shown here, not by these three.
Retention is a concern too. Roughly 29% of students don't return after the first year, and the 63.4% graduation rate means a meaningful share of you will borrow without finishing. Debt without a degree is the worst outcome, and this school's numbers say that risk is live.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $18,600 to $19,000 a year. Cross $75,000 and the price jumps to $25,471, then $28,694 above $110,000. So the aid is real for modest incomes, and the sticker shock hits middle and upper families hardest.
Franklin fits you if you're entering teaching, come from a lower-income household, and finish on time. If you're pointed toward Psychology or Biology and plan to stop at a bachelor's, the earnings here don't justify $27,000 in debt, and you should compare cheaper options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Franklin College worth the cost compared to other Indiana schools?
Franklin College's graduates earn $55,376 after 10 years, which is below the national average for college graduates. With a net price of $22,762 annually and typical debt of $27,000, the return on investment is modest compared to other four-year institutions in Indiana.
What are the best paying majors at Franklin College?
Teacher Education graduates from Franklin College earn around $38,829 after graduation, which is the highest among the school's popular programs. Psychology and Biology majors earn significantly less at $26,353 and $24,421 respectively, making career prospects more challenging in these fields.
How much debt do Franklin College graduates typically have?
Franklin College graduates carry a median debt of $27,000, which is manageable given typical starting salaries. However, with only a 63% graduation rate, many students take on debt without completing their degree, creating financial risk.
Does Franklin College provide good financial aid to reduce costs?
Franklin College's net price of $22,762 suggests decent financial aid for qualifying students, though this varies significantly based on family income. The school's high acceptance rate of 93% means less merit-based aid competition compared to more selective institutions.