Business/Commerce (Bachelor's Degree) at Franklin University

Analysis

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.

Where Franklin University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all business/commerce bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Franklin University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio

Business/Commerce bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Ohio (22 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Franklin UniversityColumbus	$9,577	$51,408	—	$30,885	0.60
DeVry University-OhioColumbus	$17,488	$57,020	$56,664	$47,236	0.83
Ashland UniversityAshland	$28,910	$50,262	$43,439	$30,625	0.61
University of Akron Main CampusAkron	$12,799	$49,049	$43,756	$31,000	0.63
Ohio State University-Lima CampusLima	$9,212	$48,597	$54,191	$19,900	0.41
Ohio State University-Mansfield CampusMansfield	$9,212	$48,597	$54,191	$19,900	0.41
National Median	—	$47,506	—	$26,000	0.55

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with business/commerce graduates

Sales Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.

$138,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Industrial Production Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the work activities and resources necessary for manufacturing products in accordance with cost, quality, and quantity specifications.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Quality Control Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate quality assurance programs. Formulate quality control policies and control quality of laboratory and production efforts.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Geothermal Production Managers

Manage operations at geothermal power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor geothermal plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biofuels Production Managers

Manage biofuels production and plant operations. Collect and process information on plant production and performance, diagnose problems, and design corrective procedures.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biomass Power Plant Managers

Manage operations at biomass power generation facilities. Direct work activities at plant, including supervision of operations and maintenance staff.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Hydroelectric Production Managers

Manage operations at hydroelectric power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor hydroelectric plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Construction Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate, usually through subordinate supervisory personnel, activities concerned with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities, and systems. Participate in the conceptual development of a construction project and oversee its organization, scheduling, budgeting, and implementation. Includes managers in specialized construction fields, such as carpentry or plumbing.

$106,980/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Administrative Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate one or more administrative services of an organization, such as records and information management, mail distribution, and other office support services.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Facilities Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate operations and functionalities of facilities and buildings. May include surrounding grounds or multiple facilities of an organization's campus.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Security Managers

Direct an organization's security functions, including physical security and safety of employees and facilities.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Franklin University, approximately 33% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.