Applied Mathematics at Franklin College

Franklin College's applied mathematics program comes with an estimated debt load of $25,421—modestly above the national median for this field—while similar bachelor's programs nationally produce first-year earnings around $60,930. That 0.42 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests graduates would need roughly five months of gross income to cover their loans, a manageable burden if the earnings estimate holds. However, with such a small graduate cohort that the Department of Education can't publish actual outcomes, there's inherent uncertainty in projecting what Franklin's specific program delivers.

The national benchmarks provide some reassurance: applied mathematics typically produces solid starting salaries, with three-quarters of programs generating first-year earnings above $71,670. Franklin serves a substantial population of Pell-eligible students (39%), suggesting accessibility matters here, and the moderately selective admissions (71% acceptance rate) indicate this isn't a program designed solely for top academic performers. For students who thrive in smaller environments and value that individualized attention, the debt-to-earnings picture looks reasonable compared to many bachelor's programs.

The practical challenge is that you're betting on peer program data rather than Franklin's track record. If your student is choosing Franklin for specific reasons—location, fit, financial aid package—the estimated numbers don't raise red flags. But if applied mathematics is the priority, larger programs with published outcomes would give you clearer visibility into what graduates actually earn.