Franklin W Olin College of Engineering
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
How to Apply to Franklin W Olin College of Engineering
Official admissions page$85
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Is Franklin W Olin College of Engineering Worth It?
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is one of the strongest value propositions in higher education. At $25,171/year net price and $129,455 median earnings, graduates earn 5.1× their annual cost within a decade of enrolling.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
With a 94% graduation rate, the vast majority of students finish their degree and reach these earning outcomes.
Admission is competitive with a 25% acceptance rate, so applicants should have strong academic credentials.
Median student debt of $19,500 is manageable at just 15% of first-year post-graduation earnings.
Bottom line: Franklin W Olin College of Engineering delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How Franklin W Olin College of Engineering compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #1 of 6 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Franklin W Olin College of Engineering | 100 | $25,171 | $129,455 |
| #2 | Riverside College of Health Sciences | 80 | $20,744 | $66,072 |
| #3 | Jewish Theological Seminary of America | 47 | $43,195 | $92,751 |
| #4 | Methodist College | 26 | $41,787 | $69,800 |
| #5 | Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science | 22 | $35,558 | $83,438 |
| #6 | Southern California University of Health Sciences | 19 | $45,848 | $70,649 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Franklin W Olin College of Engineering's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering
The highest-earning program at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is Engineering, General at $77,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Mechanical Engineering at $72,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Engineering, General graduate from Franklin W Olin College of Engineering earns $77,700, while a Mechanical Engineering graduate earns $72,200. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $25,171/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering, General | $77,700 | $77,700 | $15,691 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $72,200 | $72,200 | N/A |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Needham, MA
- Student Body
- 377 students
- Admission Rate
- 25%
- Graduation Rate
- 94%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $25,171
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $129,455
- Median Student Debt
- $19,500