Franklin University vs Lake Erie College: which has better ROI?
Franklin University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $100,972 in 28.6 years versus 40.8 years at Lake Erie College, on median earnings of $51,892 vs $50,417 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Franklin University | Lake Erie College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $25,243 | $20,961 |
| Total net cost | $100,972 | $83,844 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $51,892 | $50,417 |
| Median debt | $20,836 | $26,000 |
| Payback | 28.6 yrs | 40.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$30,332 | -$42,704 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Franklin University or Lake Erie College?
Lake Erie College, at $20,961 a year after aid versus $25,243 — a gap of $4,282 a year, or $17,128 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 Lake Erie College graduates earn more?
Franklin University graduates report a median $51,892 ten years after entry, $1,475 more than the $50,417 at Lake Erie 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, Franklin University or Lake Erie College?
Franklin University: its completers carry a median $20,836 in federal loans versus $26,000 at Lake Erie College, a difference of $5,164. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
38% of students finish at Lake Erie College, 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.