Franklin University vs Wright State University-Lake Campus: 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 38.9 years at Wright State University-Lake Campus, on median earnings of $51,892 vs $49,500 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Franklin University | Wright State University-Lake Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $25,243 | $11,081 |
| Total net cost | $100,972 | $44,324 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $51,892 | $49,500 |
| Median debt | $20,836 | $22,750 |
| Payback | 28.6 yrs | 38.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$30,332 | -$21,524 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Franklin University or Wright State University-Lake Campus?
Wright State University-Lake Campus, at $11,081 a year after aid versus $25,243 — a gap of $14,162 a year, or $56,648 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 Wright State University-Lake Campus graduates earn more?
Franklin University graduates report a median $51,892 ten years after entry, $2,392 more than the $49,500 at Wright State University-Lake Campus. 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 Wright State University-Lake Campus?
Franklin University: its completers carry a median $20,836 in federal loans versus $22,750 at Wright State University-Lake Campus, a difference of $1,914. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
41% of students finish at Wright State University-Lake Campus, 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.