Come and visit, come and study
There are many reasons to visit us in central Indiana and many more to attend college here! Franklin, Indiana is a small town that is the county seat and home to 24,000 residents. Surrounded by farmland but 20 minutes from downtown Indianapolis, Franklin combines a historic small town feel with the conveniences of suburban living.
At Franklin College, we love having people come to campus and town to get a taste of FC tradition. If you’re headed to Franklin on your own, check out our events and activities calendar or some local information and lodging options and if you’re interested in a formal campus tour, register for a campus visit with our admissions team.
10 Wonderful Things About Being a Student in Franklin, IN
1. Old-Fashioned Town Square
The college is a short walk from Franklin’s picturesque town square with cafés, boutiques, bakery, bike store, candy shop, antique stores, and an artisanal candle maker. See old movies at the
Artcraft Theater, a restored art deco movie house on the Indiana State Register of Historic Places. Choose fresh fruits and vegetables at the Saturday farmer’s market. Attend a fish fry or get strawberry shortcakes on the courthouse steps.
2. People Gather Here
Churches, sports teams, lectures, festivals, art fairs, concerts, films, outdoor activities – well, you get the picture. From inside Johnson County, to right outside of it, you can find your tribe by participating in the activities you love. Relish Franklin traditions like the fall festival, bluegrass festival, and holiday lighting ceremony.
3. You Can Make a Difference Here
Franklin students logged 22,400 hours of community service in 2013-14! As a student, you will have opportunities with organizations that range from Habitat for Humanity to the Humane Society. In fact, Franklin College was honored with distinction for community service programs. Your hands and feet are welcome and needed!
4. You Can Become Part of History
Franklin is both old and new. The Underground Railroad existed houses away from the college, and historic preservation – from homes to businesses – is part of the town culture. Even campus is a mixture of old and new, new experiences and old stories.
5. Franklin is a Natural…with Parks and Greenways
While the college has Grizzly Park, complete with a trail, sports fields, and tennis courts, you can walk right off the campus onto the greenway of the Franklin Trail or into picturesque Province Park. Enjoy a picnic, walk, run or bike ride. There is even a skate park for a change of pace.
6. Indianapolis
Franklin College is a 20-minute drive from the state’s capital and the nation’s 12th largest city. While Indianapolis is known as a sports metropolis with pro teams like the NBA Pacers and NFL Indianapolis Colts, Indy is a hub for rich cultural activities, a dynamic dining scene and an events calendar that keeps the city bustling 365 days of the 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’s Steak House. Step inside the world’s largest children’s museum or hang with eight orangutans that are smarter than you think at the Indy Zoo’s International Orangutan Center. Dominate a game of duckpin bowling or step inside the majestic Indiana World War Memorial, which helps make Indy second to Washington D.C. in the amount of monuments and memorials. As a student you can grow by expanding your world in every way imaginable.
For more about what the Indianapolis area has to offer, please see VisitIndy.com and VisitIndiana.com.
7. Situated for Success
With Franklin’s easy access to Indy, Cincinnati and Chicago, you have a wealth of internship and job opportunities at your
fingertips. The college links students and grads with companies include Cummins, Eli Lilly, State of Indiana, City of Indianapolis, Simon Property Group, Community Health, Rolls Royce, OneAmerica, and with grad schools like Indiana University, Ohio State University and 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 county library or go next door to the town sports and recreation center complete with classes, workout facilities and an outdoor pool.
9. I-65
Franklin is conveniently located next to I-65. The central location of the college makes it easy for family and friends to visit – in addition for opportunities to explore the area or get out of town if you need a break.
10. Shop ‘Til You Drop
Franklin is close to Kohl’s, the Greenwood Park Mall and the Edinburgh Premium Outlets. Castleton Square Mall, Circle Centre Mall and the Fashion Mall are a short car ride away. Franklin is also host to funky consignment stores and a Goodwill for thrifty finds.