Business, Management, Marketing, at Franklin University

Business degrees at comparable institutions nationally suggest first-year earnings around $50,740, with typical debt loads near $26,500—a manageable 0.52 debt-to-earnings ratio that aligns with standard lending guidelines. However, the Ohio context tells a dramatically different story. The state median for business bachelor's programs sits at just $28,916, nearly $22,000 below the national figure Franklin's estimates draw from. That gap should concern any parent looking at this program.

The uncertainty here cuts both ways. Franklin serves a substantial population of Pell recipients (33%), often non-traditional students who may already have work experience or professional networks in Columbus. If the program delivers outcomes closer to the national pattern—perhaps through strong employer connections in Ohio's capital—the debt load becomes quite reasonable. But if graduates' earnings track closer to the state median, that same $26,500 in debt becomes a heavier burden, taking years longer to manage on a sub-$30,000 salary.

Without actual outcome data for Franklin's business program, you're essentially betting on which pattern will apply. Visit the career services office and ask specific questions: Where do graduates actually work? What starting salaries do local employers offer? Can they connect you with recent alumni? The answers to those questions matter more than any estimate.