Trine University vs Franklin College: which has better ROI?
Trine University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $101,420 in 11.5 years versus 13 years at Franklin College, on median earnings of $57,165 vs $55,376 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Trine University | Franklin College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $25,355 | $22,855 |
| Total net cost | $101,420 | $91,420 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $57,165 | $55,376 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 11.5 yrs | 13 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $74,680 | $48,900 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Trine University or Franklin College?
Franklin College, at $22,855 a year after aid versus $25,355 — a gap of $2,500 a year, or $10,000 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Trine University or Franklin College graduates earn more?
Trine University graduates report a median $57,165 ten years after entry, $1,789 more than the $55,376 at Franklin 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, Trine University or Franklin College?
Trine University: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Franklin College, a difference of $2,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
64% of students finish at Trine University, against 60% at Franklin 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.