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Franklin W Olin College of Engineering — ROI, Cost & Payback

Private nonprofit · Needham, MA · 377 students

The verdict

Franklin W Olin College of Engineering charges a net price of $25,171/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $100,684. Graduates earn a median $129,455 ten years after entry, $81,095/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 1.2 years — a 20-year net return of $1,521,216, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Franklin W Olin College of Engineering's 1.2-year payback ranks #20 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 99% of them, and #2 of 85 in Massachusetts.

Better ROI than 99% of US colleges#20 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$25,171
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$129,455
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
1.2 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
25%
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$25,171/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$100,684our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$129,455Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$81,095/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$19,500Scorecard, 2026
Payback1.2 yrsour math
20-year net return$1,521,216our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

The arithmetic, on Franklin W Olin College of Engineering's own numbers. Net price $25,171 × 4 years = $100,684 total. Median earnings $129,455 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $81,095 a year of premium. $100,684 ÷ $81,095 = 1.2 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $1,521,216. 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 W Olin College of Engineering students graduate with?

A median $19,500 in federal loans among completers, or 15% of the $129,455 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.

What share of Franklin W Olin College of Engineering students graduate?

96% finish their degree. Spread the $100,684 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $104,879 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.

Is Franklin W Olin College of Engineering expensive compared with other Massachusetts colleges?

Its $25,171 net price runs $288 above the $24,883 median across the 85 Massachusetts colleges we profile, or $1,152 more across the full degree.

Franklin W Olin College of Engineering: frequently asked questions

Is Franklin W Olin College of Engineering worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. Franklin W Olin College of Engineering charges $25,171/yr after aid ($100,684 over 4 years), and graduates earn a median $129,455 ten years out — $81,095/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 1.2 years and returns $1,521,216 net over 20 years, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast.
How long does a Franklin W Olin College of Engineering degree take to pay off?
About 1.2 years. We divide the $100,684 four-year net cost by the $81,095/yr earnings premium over the high-school baseline. It is a floor, not a ceiling — mid-career raises pay it back faster.
How much does Franklin W Olin College of Engineering cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $25,171/yr — about $100,684 over 4 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does Franklin W Olin College of Engineering compare to other Massachusetts colleges?
It ranks #2 of 85 Massachusetts colleges we track by payback. Its $129,455 median earnings beat the national median of $43,549, and its $25,171 net price is above the national median of $16,902.