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Franklin University vs Baldwin Wallace University: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Columbus OH · vs · Private nonprofit, Berea OH

The verdict

Baldwin Wallace University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $110,412 in 19.2 years versus 28.6 years at Franklin University, on median earnings of $54,122 vs $51,892 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureFranklin UniversityBaldwin Wallace University
Net price / yr$25,243$27,603
Total net cost$100,972$110,412
Median earnings, 10 yrs$51,892$54,122
Median debt$20,836$27,000
Payback28.6 yrs19.2 yrs
20-year net return-$30,332$4,828

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

Which is cheaper, Franklin University or Baldwin Wallace University?

Franklin University, at $25,243 a year after aid versus $27,603 — a gap of $2,360 a year, or $9,440 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Franklin University or Baldwin Wallace University graduates earn more?

Baldwin Wallace University graduates report a median $54,122 ten years after entry, $2,230 more than the $51,892 at Franklin University. 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, Franklin University or Baldwin Wallace University?

Franklin University: its completers carry a median $20,836 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Baldwin Wallace University, a difference of $6,164. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

67% of students finish at Baldwin Wallace University, against 11% at Franklin University. 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.

Franklin University vs Baldwin Wallace University: frequently asked questions

Is Franklin University or Baldwin Wallace University a better value?
Baldwin Wallace University. It clears its $110,412 net cost in about 19.2 years versus 28.6 years at Franklin University, on median earnings of $54,122 vs $51,892 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Franklin University or Baldwin Wallace University?
Franklin University: $25,243/yr net price after aid versus $27,603/yr at Baldwin Wallace University — a difference of $2,360 a year, or about $9,440 over four years.
Do Franklin University or Baldwin Wallace University graduates earn more?
Baldwin Wallace University graduates earn a median $54,122 ten years after entry, versus $51,892 at Franklin University — a $2,230 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.