Business/Commerce at Franklin College

Business programs in Indiana show dramatic variation in outcomes, with top programs producing first-year earnings above $70,000 while mid-tier schools cluster closer to the state median. Franklin College's program appears to track right at that median—comparable programs across the state suggest earnings around $47,400, which matches the national benchmark almost exactly. The estimated $27,000 in debt is slightly above both the state and national medians for business degrees, though the 0.57 debt-to-earnings ratio falls within reasonable bounds for a bachelor's program.

What complicates the assessment here is Franklin's 71% admission rate and modest test scores, combined with its likely higher price point as a private institution. Students at similar Indiana public universities—IU South Bend, IU East—appear to earn roughly the same while potentially graduating with less debt. The program doesn't seem to be creating the earning power that might justify private college pricing, nor does it stand out from what state universities deliver.

For parents weighing this option, the key question is whether Franklin's smaller environment and specific offerings justify paying more for outcomes that mirror what's available elsewhere in Indiana. The debt load isn't alarming, but this doesn't look like a program that delivers outsized returns. If your child is comparing Franklin to Indiana's public options, understand they're likely looking at similar career trajectories—the private college premium here buys experience, not necessarily earnings.