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92.7%Acceptance
$44,963Tuition
1,055Students
46%Grad Rate (6-yr)
$53,353Earnings
#20 in New HampshirePrivate nonprofit4-yearSAT/ACT Test OptionalNCAA Division IIStudy AbroadData: 2023-24
Return on Investment: Moderate

At $26,906/yr net price, Franklin Pierce University graduates earn $53,353/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $19,353/yr above the median for high school graduates.

Cost vs. Outcomes

Return on investment data for Franklin Pierce University
Metric Value
Average Net Price (per year) $26,906
Estimated 4-Year Cost $107,624
Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) $53,353/yr
Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma +$19,353/yr
Estimated Break-Even 5.6 years
Graduation Rate (6-year) 46.1%
Median Debt at Graduation $27,000

What You'll Actually Pay

Average net price by family income

Net price by family income for Franklin Pierce University
Family Income Estimated Net Price
$0 - $30,000 $22,101/yr
$30,001 - $48,000 $27,002/yr
$48,001 - $75,000 $25,652/yr
$75,001 - $110,000 $28,381/yr
$110,001+ $28,583/yr

Earnings by Major

Top programs ranked by median earnings

Earnings and debt by program at Franklin Pierce University
Program Level Median Earnings Median Debt
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. Master $100,026 $180,471
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. Bachelor $75,921 $9,827
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. Doctoral $69,462 $163,023
Business Administration, Management and Operations. Master $64,990
Accounting and Related Services. Bachelor $43,798 $25,875
Criminal Justice and Corrections. Bachelor $41,286 $27,000
Business Administration, Management and Operations. Bachelor $40,467 $25,000
Natural Resources Conservation and Research. Bachelor $35,060 $26,953
Health and Physical Education/Fitness. Bachelor $34,526
Education, General. Bachelor $33,993 $27,000

The Risk Factor

Completion Risk: Elevated Risk

46.1% of students at Franklin Pierce University graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.

Analysis

Franklin Pierce University delivers poor financial value for most students, with median earnings of $53,353 barely justifying the $26,906 annual cost and troubling 46% graduation rate.

Your best bet here is nursing, where graduates earn $75,921 with reasonable debt loads of $9,827. Business administration also performs decently at $64,990 in median earnings. However, avoid accounting at all costs - you'll earn just $43,798 despite taking on $25,875 in debt, making this program financially disastrous.

The allied health programs present a complicated picture. While graduates earn over $100,000, they carry crushing debt loads exceeding $180,000, creating payments that likely consume much of that salary advantage. Rehabilitation therapy graduates face similar debt burdens at $163,023 for $69,462 in earnings.

Franklin Pierce's location in rural New Hampshire limits local job opportunities, meaning you'll likely need to relocate after graduation. The weak 73% retention rate signals that many students recognize the poor value proposition early and transfer elsewhere.

You should consider Franklin Pierce only if you're pursuing nursing or committed to healthcare despite the debt risks. The school makes financial sense if you're a New Hampshire resident seeking to stay local, but out-of-state students can find better value elsewhere. With only 27% of students receiving financial aid, merit opportunities appear limited.

Skip Franklin Pierce if you're considering accounting, liberal arts, or any program outside healthcare and business. The combination of high costs, low graduation rates, and limited regional job market creates significant financial risk for most majors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Franklin Pierce University worth the cost?

Franklin Pierce University's return on investment is below average, with graduates earning $53,353 ten years after enrollment while facing $27,000 in median debt. The 46% graduation rate also raises concerns about completing your degree.

What are the highest paying majors at Franklin Pierce University?

Allied health diagnostic programs offer the best earning potential at Franklin Pierce with graduates making around $100,000 annually. Nursing graduates earn about $76,000, while business and accounting majors see significantly lower returns at $65,000 and $44,000 respectively.

How much debt do Franklin Pierce University graduates typically have?

Franklin Pierce graduates carry a median debt of $27,000, which is manageable compared to the national average. However, with post-graduation earnings of $53,353, debt-to-income ratios remain challenging for many programs outside of health fields.

Should I attend Franklin Pierce University for business or accounting?

Business and accounting programs at Franklin Pierce University show poor ROI, with accounting graduates earning just $43,798 after paying $26,906 annually. You can find better value at state schools or community colleges for these fields.