Founded in 1834, Franklin College was the first college in Indiana to admit women. To this day, that spirit of welcoming and inclusivity still defines who we are.

From immersive internships to our tailored first-year experience, Franklin meets you where you are and takes you where you want to go.

A small community with big opportunities

With a tight-knit student body of more than 900 students and a highly involved faculty, we offer a wealth of opportunities. With more than 50 majors in 24 academic disciplines to choose from — plus a location convenient to the businesses & organizations in Indianapolis — Franklin College gives you the chance to excel.

You receive exceptional guidance and individual mentoring toward securing internships and post-graduation job placement.
A strong student focus prepares Franklin graduates for challenging and fulfilling lives and careers.
Our scenic, wooded campus located just 20 minutes south of Indianapolis offers the perfect setting for a residential four-year undergraduate liberal arts institution.

If you’re interested in attending college in a supportive community of engaged scholars, contact us to learn more or to set up a personal visit to Franklin College.

Our Mission

Franklin College empowers students through an experiential education, grounded in the liberal arts and sciences, promoting impactful careers and meaningful lives.

Our Vision

Franklin College envisions a vibrant, inclusive learning community fueled by transformative experiences and innovative partnerships.

Our Values

Our Values
Franklin College upholds a common set of values that enhances the community and sustains personal, spiritual, intellectual, and professional growth for a lifetime.
01.
People of INTEGRITY who exhibit honest and ethical conduct and speech & responsibility in personal, academic, and professional lives.
02.
Commitment to INCLUSIVITY that honors all forms of diversity, the dignity of self and others, empathy, sincerity, and openness.
03.
Culture of INTELLECTUAL CURIOSITY that promotes deep reflection about knowledge, beliefs, and ideas, the ability to recognize, formulate and ask discerning questions, and independent thinking.
04.
Drive for INNOVATION and CREATIVITY that encourages a willingness to take risks, adaptability to an ever-changing world, and the ability to solve complex problems.
05.
Spirit of COMMUNITY that fosters a collaborative environment that is responsive to the needs of others, a supportive, service-minded network respect for the personal beliefs, faiths, and convictions that give purpose and meaning to our lives.

Franklin College Sustainability Efforts

A primary focus of Franklin College has always been the size of our carbon footprint and the effect our college has on the community around us. Franklin College is constantly working to become more energy efficient through research and updating our facilities. Our efforts include:

Improvements are made by educating students on opportunities to reduce emissions and provide prospects through leadership to create solutions and be an example to the rest of the community. Projects that have resulted in lowering our campus greenhouse gas emissions include lighting updates, mechanical updates (efficient chillers, efficient motors, and variable frequency drives), student synthesis of biodiesel fuel, and trayless dining in our campus cafeteria.

Ball Venture Grant

In 2012 Franklin College was awarded the Ball Venture Grant. This opportunity gave the college $25,000 which it used to hire student teams to conduct energy audits and purchase equipment to assess the college’s facilities. The students created reports on 4 of our campus facilities as well as assessing the outdoor lighting on campus. The information collected was used to create a priority list of which buildings and fixtures should be replaced based on the return on investment. The information and equipment received from this grant will continue to be useful to the campus for years to come.

Landscaping

Urban Forest – Through a grant received by Biology Professor, Alice Heikens, Franklin College was able to create an Urban Forest. The forest reduces the amount of mowing required for that area, makes an area that is more environmentally friendly, creates learning experiences for students, and improves the aesthetics of the area. Franklin College was awarded the honors of Tree Campus USA and the Gold Leaf Award based in large part because of the efforts of our Urban Forest.

Grizzly Park – Grizzly Park is a 78 acre outdoor athletics facility that includes two areas that total over 5 acres of Native Wetland Restoration areas. When creating these spaces Franklin College Franklin College partnered with JFNew ecology consulting to select seed mixes that were native to the area. The seeds selected encouraged native plantings and wildlife to come to the area. In turn, the area reduces the amount of mowing, fertilizing and watering required. The Biology field classes help in both maintaining and use the area as an outdoor learning lab.

Hougham Woods – is a 32-acre woodland that was donated to the college by Mr. Mac McNaught of Franklin Tech Park. This area is two miles east of campus and provides various opportunities for Biology field studies.

Trash Management

Trash from Franklin College is taken to Covanta Resource Recovery Facility where solid waste is turned into steam energy that is sold to the City of Indianapolis. Because the waste from Franklin College is turned into energy this creates a zero effect on our carbon footprint.

Yard waste is composted on campus to be reused in campus plantings, landscape beds, or the urban forest.

Student Involvement

Earth Club, Ball Venture Grant, Recycling efforts, Biofuel program

Sustainable Dining

Trayless – In 2012 Franklin College decided to go trayless in the cafeteria. As a result of not using trays we save one million gallons of water a year and create less wasted food.

Tableware – All the tableware used in our cafeteria is not disposable, creating less waste.

Vegetarian/Vegan Options – Everyday the cafeteria offers a vegan and/or vegetarian option. Because there is no meat in these meals they require less energy to produce.