Computer Software and Media Applications at Franklin University

Four years out, Franklin University's software graduates earn $54,099—a solid middle-class income that represents real career growth from an estimated first-year starting point of $38,234. That trajectory matters more than the initial number, which aligns with the national median for this degree but trails Ohio's tech hubs where competition for entry-level roles is fierce.

The estimated $25,603 in debt is notably lower than Ohio's median of $48,849 for similar programs, though it's worth noting both figures are derived from comparable schools rather than Franklin's actual graduates. With a debt-to-earnings ratio under 0.7, this suggests manageable monthly payments even during those leaner early-career years. For families concerned about affordability—and a third of students here receive Pell grants—that debt advantage helps offset the modest starting salary.

The real question is whether Franklin's program provides the technical depth and industry connections that accelerate that climb from $38K to $54K. Software careers can vary wildly: some graduates land at $80K within a few years while others plateau. The four-year earnings figure sits comfortably in the middle, but without more program-specific data, parents should investigate what percentage of graduates actually work in software development versus adjacent roles, and how Franklin's curriculum stacks up against Ohio's more established tech programs.