Marketing at Franklin University

Franklin University's marketing program falls short of what Ohio students typically earn in this field. At $42,521 in the first year, graduates earn about $5,000 less than the state median for marketing majors—placing them in just the 40th percentile among Ohio programs. The gap widens when you look at top state options: Ohio State and Miami University graduates start around $56,000-$59,000, roughly 40% more. The 14% earnings growth to year four helps close the gap slightly, but Franklin graduates still trail their in-state peers.

The debt load tells a better story. At $30,749, it's higher than both state and national medians, but the 0.72 debt-to-earnings ratio remains manageable—graduates owe less than one year's salary. Given that a third of students receive Pell grants, this access matters. The program serves students who might not otherwise attend flagship universities, though they're paying a premium in foregone earnings.

For an anxious parent weighing in-state options, the question is whether Franklin's flexibility or location justifies the earnings tradeoff. If your child can access Ohio State or Miami—and handle their academic rigor—those programs deliver significantly stronger returns. Franklin makes sense primarily for students who need the university's adult-focused model or can't relocate to Athens or Oxford.