
Franklin, INprivate nonprofitwww.franklincollege.edu/
Franklin College is a small, tight-knit liberal arts school in Indiana where nearly 70% of applicants get in—but those who enroll find a surprisingly career-focused curriculum and a 96.5% post-grad placement rate. With Greek life anchoring social life and 73% of students living on campus, it’s the kind of place where professors know your name and the median grad earns $45,635 within six years.
Franklin College is somewhat selective, with an Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. hovering around 70% (sources vary between 69.8% and 78%). The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1060–1240 on the SAT or 21–26 on the ACT, and most have a high school GPA in the B range. Test-optionalA policy where you choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you don't, the rest of your application carries more weight. policies allow applicants to submit scores via high school transcripts (SAT code: 1228, ACT code: 1194). Notably, 96.5% of students receive financial aid, softening the sticker shock of tuition.
Franklin pitches itself as a practical liberal arts college, offering 50+ majors across 24 disciplines, with standout programs in education (6% of majors), visual/performing arts (6%), and computer science (5%). The curriculum emphasizes ‘transferable skills’ for real-world jobs, and the 96.5% placement rate post-graduation suggests it works. Unlike nearby Franklin University (a non-profit business school), this is a traditional BA/BS liberal arts institution—though Reddit threads hint at some confusion between the two.
Life here revolves around campus housing (73% of students live on-site) and Greek organizations (4 fraternities, 3 sororities). The vibe is ‘close-knit’, with Niche reviewers calling it ‘familial’—think small-town Indiana with professors who double as mentors. Over 50 student orgs range from academic clubs to intramurals, and the college touts ‘transformative experiences’ through community-building. Safety ratings are solid, and the residential halls are described as ‘safe but dynamic’ (translation: expect dorm parties).
Franklin’s 63% graduation rate lags slightly behind national averages, but those who finish land decent-paying jobs: median earnings of $45,635 six years out (4% above the national median). U.S. News ranks it #146 among liberal arts colleges, with an outcomes score of 57/100. The transfer-out rate hovers around 25%, suggesting some students pivot to larger schools—though the ones who stay benefit from strong alumni networks in the Midwest.
Sticker price is $33,883 for families earning over $110K, but 79.55% of students receive aid, bringing the average Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. down to $23,843. The average aid package is $33,987, with grants averaging $16,634—$146 higher than typical private colleges. Franklin’s net price calculator helps families estimate costs, though the fine print warns it’s ‘not a final offer’. For low-income students (<$30K), costs drop to ~$16,000 after aid.
Franklin College is the anti-stereotype small liberal arts school: moderately selective but laser-focused on job outcomes, with a 96.5% placement rate that rivals far pricier peers. Its Greek-heavy, residential culture (73% on-campus) fosters tight bonds, while the practical curriculum—heavy on education, CS, and arts—keeps grads employed. For Midwestern students seeking a ‘name-your-professor’ vibe without elite pretensions (or elite prices), it’s a shrewd pick.