Franklin University Recognized Among Top 16% of U.S. Institutions for Access and Earnings by Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and American Council on Education

Contact:

Sherry Mercurio
Executive Director, Office of Community Relations
(614) 947-6581
Email: [email protected]

Recognition highlights sustained impact in expanding access and delivering strong economic outcomes for graduates

Franklin University is recognized as an "Opportunity University" in the Student Access and Earnings Classification from the Carnegie Foundation and the American Council on Education (ACE), placing Franklin among just 487 institutions, or approximately the top 16% of colleges and universities nationwide.

The designation reflects institutions that combine broad access for underserved students with strong post-graduation earnings outcomes, reinforcing Franklin University's ongoing commitment to delivering career-relevant education with measurable return on investment. It highlights the consistency of the University's mission to expand access while driving real economic mobility, demonstrating not just who it serves, but how effectively its graduates advance.

Fact Box: Franklin University + Carnegie Opportunity University Designation
• Recognition: Named an "Opportunity University"
• Awarding Bodies: Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and American Council on Education
• Ranking Tier: Top 16% of U.S. colleges and universities
• Total Institutions Recognized: 487 nationwide
• Classification Model: Student Access and Earnings Classification within the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education
• Key Criteria: High enrollment of Pell-eligible and underrepresented students, and strong graduate earnings outcomes (measured 8 years after enrollment)
• What It Signals: Proven ability to deliver both access and economic mobility

Why This Designation Matters
The Student Access and Earnings Classification evaluates how institutions perform across two key measures: access, enrolling Pell-eligible and underrepresented students reflective of the communities they serve, and earnings, graduate income levels eight years after enrollment compared to peers without a credential. Institutions designated as Opportunity Universities demonstrate that expanding access and delivering strong economic outcomes are not competing priorities, but outcomes that work together to drive real student advancement.

A model aligned to today's workforce
Franklin's recognition underscores a sustained focus on serving modern learners, working adults balancing career, family, and financial priorities. The University's approach emphasizes:
• Flexible, career-aligned degree programs
• Workforce-relevant curriculum tied to employer demand
• Measurable outcomes including career advancement, salary growth, and long-term mobility

About the Carnegie Classification
First developed in 1970, the Carnegie Classification provides a framework for understanding the diversity and impact of U.S. higher education institutions. Recent updates introduced the Student Access and Earnings Classification to better reflect how institutions serve students and contribute to long-term economic outcomes.

Learn more
Explore the methodology and Franklin's profile:
https://carnegieclassifications.acenet.edu/carnegie-classification/classification-methodology/2025-student-access-and-earnings-classification/
https://carnegieclassifications.acenet.edu/institution/franklin-university/

About Franklin University

Accredited, nonprofit, and dedicated to educating adults since 1902, Franklin provides onsite course options at our Main Campus in downtown Columbus, Ohio, and is an innovator in providing personalized online education. The University offers applied in-demand undergraduate, masters, and doctorate programs that enable adult learners to achieve their educational and professional goals. Through agreements with partner institutions, the University also offers international academic programs, including its top-ranked MBA.

Franklin University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and holds specialized accreditations for specific academic programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, and the Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management Education. The National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security have designated Franklin University as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE).

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