Economics at Franklin University

Comparable economics programs in Ohio suggest Franklin University graduates earn around $51,500 in their first year, tracking almost exactly with the state median. That's reasonable for a bachelor's degree, though it falls well short of what nearby institutions like John Carroll ($65,000) and Oberlin ($62,000) report their graduates earning. The estimated $25,000 in debt sits slightly above typical borrowing levels for Ohio economics programs, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49—not concerning, but not particularly advantageous either.

What makes this harder to assess is that both figures are estimates drawn from peer programs rather than Franklin's actual graduate outcomes. With a third of students receiving Pell grants, Franklin likely serves a different population than some of those higher-earning comparison schools, which could mean different career trajectories that aren't captured in these estimates. The numbers suggest a manageable debt load relative to earning potential, but without knowing whether Franklin's specific graduates actually achieve these outcomes, you're making assumptions based on what happens at similar programs.

If your child is committed to economics and values Franklin's format or accessibility, the estimated debt burden won't be crushing. But given the uncertainty and the gap between these projections and what Ohio's top programs demonstrably deliver, you'd want strong reasons beyond the numbers—convenience, cost savings, or program fit—to choose Franklin over schools with proven track records.