There’s so much to discover at Franklin College, from our rich history and the traditions that have carried us through the years to what’s happening on campus today. Take a quick look at what makes Franklin College, and our surrounding community, a vibrant place to learn, live and explore.
Franklin College Facts
History
Founded in 1834, Franklin College is a residential liberal arts and sciences institution located 20 miles south of Indianapolis. Franklin offers a wide array of undergraduate majors as well as master’s degree programs in Physician Assistant Studies and Athletic Training. The unique curriculum merges classroom instruction with immersive experiences, research opportunities, and study away programs. Our goal is to prepare career-ready graduates for today’s global professions and those of the future. Small classes enable students to thrive through personal peer interaction and mentorship from professors who challenge and inspire them to think critically and perform confidently.
Students participate in a vibrant co-curriculum that includes 22 NCAA Division III sports along with three co-educational sports programs, Greek Life, musical and theatre productions and more than 30 student organizations. As the first college in Indiana to become coeducational with the admission of women, Franklin welcomes diversity of thought, belief, and person into a community that values equity and inclusion. Franklin College maintains a voluntary association with the American Baptist Churches USA.
Learn more about our history and our Franklin College Historic District.
Location
The Franklin College campus spans 207 acres, including athletic fields and a 31-acre biology woodland. Because Franklin is close to Indianapolis, its residents enjoy easy access to the resources offered by a large city, but they can also enjoy the charm and small-town atmosphere of Franklin itself, which has a population of more than 26,000.
Accreditation
Franklin College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association.
Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604
(800) 621-7440
https://www.hlcommission.org
Total Enrollment
Franklin College welcomed 318 students in the fall of 2025, resulting in nearly 1,000 full-time enrolled students, representing 19 states and 18 countries. Our student body is 50% male, 49% female and 1% non-binary. Of the incoming class, 5% of students are multicultural/international.
Tuition and Fees for 2025-26
Tuition: $39,060
Room: $7,004
Board: $5,290
Board: Immersive Term: $525
Fees: $950
Total: $52,829
Rankings
Per US News and World Report, the college ranks #30 in Top Performers on Social Mobility (among national liberal arts colleges) and #146 in National Liberal Arts Colleges.
Among schools in Indiana, Niche.com ranks Franklin College as #6 in Best College Locations and #16 in Colleges with the Best Student Life.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
100% of first-year, full-time students attending Franklin College receive financial aid. We offer merit-based scholarships and need-based assistance, including grants, work-study employment, federal/state aid and loans. We also offer benefits to military service members, veterans and their dependents. In the 2024-25 academic year, we processed more than $37 million in financial aid.
Learn more about tuition and financial aid.
Academics
Franklin College offers a bachelor’s degree in 50+ majors in 24 academic disciplines. The college offers 12 pre-professional programs and graduate degrees in physician assistant studies and athletic training. The student-to-faculty ratio is 12:1, and the average class size is 15. There are 73 full-time faculty members; 72.6% of the Franklin College faculty members hold a terminal degree in their area and 49 hold Ph.Ds.
Learn more about Academics at Franklin College.
Organizations
Franklin College offers over 30 social, academic and service-oriented organizations, including DECA, Greek Life, Riley Dance Marathon, the Student Entertainment Board (SEB) and Student Government Association (SGA).
Learn more on our student organizations page.
Athletics
We are proud to be a member of the Heartland Collegiate Conference and a Division III powerhouse in the NCAA. More than 50% of our students participate in our 22 NCAA DIII sports and three co-educational sports programs of cheerleading, esports and bass fishing. We have had 13 All American athletes since 2020 and have won 13 conference championships since 2020. In 2025, Franklin College defeated Denison 67-64 in the first round of the NCAA DIII Men’s Basketball Tournament.
The Franklin College mascot is Griz, the grizzly bear, and our colors are navy blue and gold.
Find out more about our teams on franklingrizzlies.com.
Graduate Outcomes
In a survey of 186/192 class of 2024 graduates six months post-commencement, 95.7% of students were employed or attending graduate school within six months of graduating: 67.7% of graduates were already employed full-time, 16.7% were in graduate school, 9.1% were in part-time employment, 2.2% were pursuing other interests and 4.3% were still seeking employment. Graduate Outcomes Data
Student Outcomes
Franklin College regularly tracks and reviews student retention, graduation, and demographics statistics. Student Outcomes and Demographics (PDF)
Hail to Franklin — the Alma Mater
Franklin College Men’s Chorus
Directed by Casey J. Hayes, Ph.D., A.J. Thurston Chair of Music, Department of Music Chair and Director of Choral Activities
Hail to Franklin, how we love thee,
Alma mater, hail!
Gold and blue wave bright above thee,
Through the calm and gale.
Sons and daughters sing they praises
And thy name adore,
While the heart its jubal raises
“Franklin evermore!”
Franklin College Fight Song
Stand up and cheer!
Stand up and cheer for Franklin College
For today we raise
The gold and blue above the rest
Rah, rah, rah!
Our team is fighting
For we are out to win the fray.
We’ve got the steam – rah, rah
We’ve got the team – rah, rah
For this is Franklin College day.
F-F-F-R-A-N
F-R-A-N-K-L-I-N
GOOOOO, FRANKLIN!
Visiting Franklin, Indiana
10 Wonderful Things to Discover in Franklin, Ind.
You will find so many reasons to visit and even more to attend college here! Franklin, Indiana is the Johnson County seat and home to 26,000 residents. Only 25 minutes from downtown Indianapolis, Franklin combines a charming small-town feel with the convenience of suburban living.
1. Historic Downtown
The college is a short walk from Franklin’s scenic downtown with antique stores, cafés, boutiques, a variety dining options, a bakery, a candy shop and an artisanal candle maker. You can also watch old movies at the Artcraft Theater, a restored art deco movie house on the Indiana State Register of Historic Places.
2. People Gather Here
This map of things to do in downtown Franklin is courtesy of Discover Downtown Franklin.
Join us for concerts, art fairs, festivals, sports tournaments, church events, lectures, festivals, films, outdoor activities and more! Make new friends or bring your besties to experience the activities you enjoy. You will love Franklin traditions like our summer concert series, fall festival and holiday lighting ceremony.
You won’t want to miss our Saturday farmer’s market, voted Indiana’s Ultimate Farmer’s Market by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture and its Indiana Grown program.
3. Opportunities to Make a Difference
Personalize your college experience by volunteering for a cause you care about. Opportunities exist with the Artcraft Theatre, Johnson County Library, Habitat for Humanity, United Way, the Interchurch Food Pantry and so many more. Your energy and effort are welcome and appreciated!
4. History at Your Fingertips
In the city of Franklin, you will find historic stories combined with new experiences. Here you will encounter the tale of the Franklin Wonder Five, a basketball team who won the Indiana State Basketball Championship consecutively from 1920-1922 and went on to become college champions in 1923. The numerous historical markers around town, you can discover our shared value of preserving the homes and businesses that made Franklin what it is today. Or, visit the Johnson County Museum of History to experience exhibits and programs showcasing historic and cultural events.
Early in 2025, a significant portion of the Franklin College campus was designated as a National Register Historic District by the National Park Service, celebrating our nearly 200-year history as a significant contributor to Indiana’s traditions and culture.
5. Franklin is a Natural…with Parks and Greenways
Enjoy a stroll through Dame Mall on the gorgeous Franklin College campus, or head to Grizzly Park, complete with a trail, sports fields and tennis courts. Just outside campus, you will find picturesque Province Park, great for a picnics, walks, runs and bike rides. The Franklin Greenway Trail spans 17 miles and connects with 9 parks.
6. Indianapolis
Franklin College is a 25-minute drive from the state’s capital and the nation’s 16th largest city. While Indianapolis is known as a sports metropolis, home to teams like the NBA Pacers and NFL Indianapolis Colts, it is also hub for cultural activities, a dynamic dining scene and an events calendar that keeps the city bustling 365 days each year. Check out the original, iconic LOVE sculpture at the Indianapolis Museum of Art or clear your sinuses with one of the world’s spiciest dishes—the shrimp cocktail at St. Elmo Steak House. Step inside the world’s largest children’s museum or hang with eight orangutans at the Indianapolis Zoo’s International Orangutan Center. Dominate a game of duckpin bowling or step inside the majestic Indiana World War Memorial, which helps make Indianapolis second to Washington D.C. in the number of monuments dedicated to honoring military veterans.
For more information on Indianapolis area attractions, please see VisitIndy.com and VisitIndiana.com.
7. Situated for Success
With Franklin’s easy access to Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Louisville and Chicago, you will find a wealth of internship and job opportunities. The college connects students and graduates with companies including Cummins, Eli Lilly and Company, Stateof Indiana, City of Indianapolis, Salesforce, Indiana University Health, OneAmerica, and with graduate schools like Indiana University, Ohio State University, and the University of Chicago.
8. Walk About Franklin
Easily reach what you need in Franklin either by walking or a short car ride. Cross the street to get additional resources from the Johnson County Public Library or go next door to the Cultural Arts and Recreation Center to find exercise classes, workout facilities, and an outdoor pool.
9. Fun and Games
Be sure to take a break from your busy schedule and enjoy some of the fun activities Franklin has to offer. Bring your paddle for a pickup game on one of the 8 pickleball courts downtown near the amphitheater. Check out full-size bowling at Hi-Way Lanes, or perfect your technical game with duckpin bowling at 10 Pins. Show off your footwork at the Franklin Skate Club or get into the driver’s seat at Rascal’s Fun Zone, where you will find go-kart tracks, bumper boats, mini-golf and 50 arcade games!
10. Shop ‘Til You Drop
Franklin is conveniently located near Kohl’s, Wal-Mart and Meijer, and is home to funky consignment stores and a Goodwill for thrifty finds. The Greenwood Park Mall and the Edinburgh Premium Outlets are each just a short drive away. Indianapolis offers even more great shopping options, including the Circle Center Mall, Castleton Square Mall and the Fashion Mall!
