Franklin University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Franklin University charges a net price of $25,243/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $100,972. Graduates earn a median $51,892 ten years after entry, $3,532/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 28.6 years — a 20-year net return of -$30,332, a weak return — the cost is hard to justify on earnings alone. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Franklin University's 28.6-year payback ranks #1,127 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 12% of them, and #55 of 144 in Ohio.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $25,243/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $100,972 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $51,892 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $3,532/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $20,836 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 28.6 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | -$30,332 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Franklin University's own numbers. Net price $25,243 × 4 years = $100,972 total. Median earnings $51,892 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $3,532 a year of premium. $100,972 ÷ $3,532 = 28.6 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves -$30,332. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Franklin University students graduate with?
A median $20,836 in federal loans among completers, or 40% of the $51,892 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Franklin University students graduate?
11% finish their degree — 89% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $100,972 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $917,927 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Franklin University expensive compared with other Ohio colleges?
Its $25,243 net price runs $5,461 above the $19,783 median across the 144 Ohio colleges we profile, or $21,842 more across the full degree.