Business/Commerce at Franklin University

Franklin University's business program outperforms typical competitors in both Ohio and nationally, with graduates earning $51,408 in their first year—about $3,000 above the Ohio median and nearly $4,000 above the national average. This places graduates at the 60th percentile statewide, just behind DeVry and slightly ahead of programs at Ashland and several Ohio State campuses. For a university serving a significant population of Pell grant students (33%), these outcomes suggest the program successfully translates into marketable skills.

The debt picture is equally favorable. At $30,885, graduates carry more than the Ohio median but less than what most business majors accumulate nationally. More importantly, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60 means students owe less than eight months of their first-year salary—a manageable burden that shouldn't derail other financial goals. The program ranks in just the 24th percentile for debt nationally, meaning 76% of comparable programs leave students with higher balances.

For parents evaluating this program, the fundamentals are sound: above-average earnings, below-average debt, and positioning that should allow graduates to service their loans while building careers in Columbus or beyond. The moderate sample size suggests consistent results rather than outliers driving the numbers.