About Franklin W Olin College of Engineering
The sticker price hits $84,494 annually, but most families pay far less through Olin's generous aid programs. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay just $7,058 per year, while even higher-income families often see substantial discounts. Graduates earn a median of $129,455 ten years out, making the typical debt load of $19,500 manageable with monthly payments around $207. The 96.6% employment rate speaks to how well Olin's hands-on approach prepares students for the workforce.
Nearly 99% of students return for sophomore year, reflecting the tight-knit community that develops when everyone shares the same modern engineering mission.
Academics & Faculty
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 9:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 82.5%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 92.9%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 92.2%
- Retention Rate
- 98.7%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $129,455
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $78,343 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $76,460 |
| Engineering, General. | Bachelor | $75,706 |
Campus Life
Students spend weekends collaborating in maker spaces, testing prototypes, or heading into Boston for museums and restaurants. The 9:1 student-faculty ratio creates an environment where professors know every student by name and join weekend barbecues. Olin's project-based curriculum means labs and workshops buzz with activity even on Saturday mornings as teams work on everything from prosthetic devices to sustainable energy systems. The Phoenix mascot reflects the school's philosophy of rising through iteration and failure. With 98.67% of students returning each year, few transfer away from this intense but supportive engineering culture where building things together defines the social scene.
- Setting
- Suburb-Large
- Housing Capacity
- 366 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
Campus Safety (2023)
1 total reported incident. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burglary | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 17°–35°F
- July Avg
- 61°–81°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 47.3"
- Annual Snowfall
- 45.7"
Student Demographics
- Men
- 51.7%
- Women
- 48.3%
- White
- 41.8%
- Black
- 3.2%
- Hispanic
- 11.0%
- Asian
- 22.3%
- In-State Students
- 14.3%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 13.5%
Location
- Address
- Needham, Massachusetts 02492-1200
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $129,455
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $112,565
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $207/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $19,500
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering?
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering accepts 19.14% of applicants, making it highly selective. The small engineering school enrolls just 373 students total and looks for students ready to tackle real-world design challenges from day one.
How much does Franklin W Olin College of Engineering cost after financial aid?
The average net price is $20,575, lower than the $84,494 total cost of attendance. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay just $7,058 on average, while the college provides substantial institutional grants averaging $40,522 to aid recipients.
What makes the academics unique at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering?
Students engage in project-based learning where they design and build real products starting in their first year. With a 9:1 student-faculty ratio and 98.67% retention rate, the specialized curriculum focuses entirely on hands-on engineering rather than traditional lectures.
How much do Franklin W Olin College of Engineering graduates earn?
Graduates earn a median salary of $129,455 ten years after graduation, with strong employment prospects at 96.6%. Even one year out, new graduates earn a median of $96,529, reflecting the college's reputation for producing job-ready engineers.
Where is Franklin W Olin College of Engineering located and what is campus life like?
The college sits in Needham, Massachusetts, a large suburb outside Boston with housing for 366 students. Nearly all of the 373 enrolled students can live on campus, creating a tight-knit community focused on collaborative engineering projects.
Does Franklin W Olin College of Engineering provide significant financial aid?
Only 13.47% of students receive federal financial aid, indicating many families can afford the full tuition. However, 24.40% receive institutional grants averaging $40,522, and graduates leave with a manageable median debt of $19,500 given their strong earning potential.
