Human Resources Management and Services at Franklin University

Franklin University's HR program lands graduates in solid positions earning just above the national median, but the debt load tells a more complicated story. While starting salaries around $51,000 compare favorably to Ohio's median for this field ($45,244), graduates carry roughly $39,000 in debt—significantly higher than both the state ($25,000) and national ($26,625) medians. That 0.78 debt-to-earnings ratio means nearly eight months of gross salary would go toward debt, which is manageable but not ideal.

The program shows decent momentum, with earnings growing 13% to $57,339 by year four. Among Ohio's 35 HR programs, Franklin ranks in the 60th percentile for earnings, putting it in respectable company—ahead of most peers, though well behind top performers like Walsh University ($80,566) or Ohio State ($58,991). The robust sample size of 100+ graduates gives these numbers credibility.

The practical calculation: your child would likely secure steady HR work with room for growth, but they'd be starting with debt roughly equivalent to their first year's salary. For families focused on minimizing loans, this presents a challenge. If Franklin is chosen for its flexibility or adult-learner support, it delivers reasonable outcomes—just understand that the debt burden is steeper than typical for this field.