Accounting at Franklin University

Franklin University's accounting program falls short of typical Ohio outcomes, with graduates earning about $56,000 four years out—roughly $8,000 less than the state median and nearly $10,000 below what students earn at Ohio State. Among Ohio's 57 accounting programs, Franklin ranks in just the 40th percentile. That gap is significant for families choosing between in-state options, especially when schools like Miami University and Case Western produce substantially higher earnings without requiring students to leave Ohio.

The debt picture offers Franklin's brightest spot. At $32,941, student debt sits well below both state and national medians, likely reflecting Franklin's focus on working adults and transfer students who may complete degrees faster or with existing credits. The 0.63 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates can realistically manage their loans, even with below-average starting salaries. For comparison, the national median debt for accounting programs is just $25,000, but Franklin students aren't carrying dramatically more burden relative to their earnings trajectory.

For families considering Franklin, the calculation comes down to access versus outcomes. If your student needs the flexibility Franklin offers—evening classes, online options, credit for work experience—the program delivers manageable debt with steady, if unspectacular, career prospects. But if they can attend a traditional four-year program like Ohio State or Miami, those options deliver materially better financial outcomes. Franklin works as an affordable pathway to accounting credentials, just not as the optimal one for Ohio residents with traditional college access.