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Babson College vs Franklin W Olin College of Engineering: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Wellesley MA · vs · Private nonprofit, Needham MA

The verdict

Franklin W Olin College of Engineering has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $100,684 in 1.2 years versus 2.1 years at Babson College, on median earnings of $129,455 vs $123,938 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBabson CollegeFranklin W Olin College of Engineering
Net price / yr$40,514$25,171
Total net cost$162,056$100,684
Median earnings, 10 yrs$123,938$129,455
Median debt$20,000$19,500
Payback2.1 yrs1.2 yrs
20-year net return$1,349,504$1,521,216

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Babson College or Franklin W Olin College of Engineering?

Franklin W Olin College of Engineering, at $25,171 a year after aid versus $40,514 — a gap of $15,343 a year, or $61,372 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Babson College or Franklin W Olin College of Engineering graduates earn more?

Franklin W Olin College of Engineering graduates report a median $129,455 ten years after entry, $5,517 more than the $123,938 at Babson College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Babson College or Franklin W Olin College of Engineering?

Franklin W Olin College of Engineering: its completers carry a median $19,500 in federal loans versus $20,000 at Babson College, a difference of $500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

96% of students finish at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering, against 93% at Babson College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Babson College vs Franklin W Olin College of Engineering: frequently asked questions

Is Babson College or Franklin W Olin College of Engineering a better value?
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering. It clears its $100,684 net cost in about 1.2 years versus 2.1 years at Babson College, on median earnings of $129,455 vs $123,938 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Babson College or Franklin W Olin College of Engineering?
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering: $25,171/yr net price after aid versus $40,514/yr at Babson College — a difference of $15,343 a year, or about $61,372 over four years.
Do Babson College or Franklin W Olin College of Engineering graduates earn more?
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering graduates earn a median $129,455 ten years after entry, versus $123,938 at Babson College — a $5,517 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.