What is Franklin Pierce University known for?
Franklin Pierce University is a private university founded in 1962, with a campus in Rindge, New Hampshire, and additional education centers in Manchester, NH, Lebanon, NH, and Goodyear, Arizona. The university is known for combining a foundational liberal arts education with pre-professional coursework, offering students both career preparedness and a well-rounded education.
Franklin Pierce University is an NCAA Division II school, and its Rindge, NH, campus is residential. The institution offers undergraduate and graduate degree pathways in liberal arts fields such as history and sociology and vocational programs such as physician assistant studies and advertising, granting students a traditional university experience while preparing them for their careers.
Is it Legit?
Franklin Pierce University is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. The institution holds additional membership in 9 other collegiate education associations, including the American Council of Education and the Association of American Colleges and Universities.
Franklin Pierce University’s programs have also achieved additional accreditation. The Master’s Physical Therapy program in New Hampshire is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). The Doctoral Physical Therapy program in Arizona and Manchester, NH, has additionally achieved accreditation by the same organization.
Franklin Pierce University’s RN to BSN program at the Manchester, NH campus is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The school’s business programs have received specialized accreditation through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).
Is Franklin Pierce University worth it?
Franklin Pierce University is a highly-regarded institution, ranked the 2nd best online 4-year school in New Hampshire in 2020 by AccreditedSchoolsOnline.org. The school was also ranked as the 3rd best Master’s degree-granting institution in New Hampshire in 2021 by University Headquarters and the 4th best college in New Hampshire based on salary score in 2021 by Grad Reports.
Franklin Pierce University’s student success is also outstanding, with 48% of the Class of 2022 employed, 45% currently enrolled in graduate school, and 7% seeking their first professional position. The school boasts a Student-to-Faculty Ratio of 13:1, offering small class sizes and personalized instruction.
In addition to providing students with a flexible and high-quality education, Franklin Pierce University offers generous financial aid. 100% of students in the Fall 2023 cohort have received financial assistance, and $30 million of the school’s funds will be awarded to students overall.
Franklin Pierce University vs. Community College
Franklin Pierce University is a highly ranked and accredited institution, unique in its combination of a liberal arts education and vocational training, which grants students the best of both worlds. In its hybrid education style, the school provides students with small classroom sizes and a personal educational experience covering a breadth of foundational subjects while allowing students to advance their professional knowledge, giving them a competitive edge in today’s career market.
In comparison, community colleges often lack both a liberal arts-style education as well as career preparedness, requiring students to seek additional education from other institutions to complete a Bachelor’s degree or vocational training necessary to pursue a career.
Acceptance Rate
Franklin Pierce University has an acceptance rate of 89%.
Cost per Year
Tuition for on-campus undergraduate students at Franklin Pierce University costs $40,617 annually. Housing costs average $10,000 per year, and meal plans cost up to $6,600 per year. Annual costs for on-campus students at Franklin Pierce University before financial aid may total, at most, $60,000.
The current tuition rate for exclusively online programs at Franklin Pierce University is $400 per credit hour or $1,200 per 3-credit course. The total program cost for online Bachelor’s students, who must complete 120 credits, is $48,000. This brings the average annual tuition for online undergraduate students at Franklin Pierce University to $12,000.
Graduate courses, which are only offered online, cost $665 per credit and $1995 per 3-credit course. Master’s students are expected to complete, on average, 36 credit hours, thus making the average tuition for a full Master’s program at Franklin Pierce University $24,000, or approximately $12,000 per year. Doctoral programs cost, on average, $12,700 per term.
In addition to accepting federal aid through loans and grants, Franklin Pierce University offers students institutional financial aid. Most students receive institutional scholarships of $35,000, and 100% of Franklin Pierce University’s students for the Fall 2023 semester have received financial aid.
School Catalog
A copy of the school catalog can be found here.
School Hours
Franklin Pierce University and its student facilities are open from 8 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. This includes residential life services and health services.
Online coursework is available to students 24/7.
Programs & Courses
Business
- Accounting
- Business Administration
- Finance
- Human Resources
- Marketing
Communications and Media
- Advertising
- Communications
Computer and Information Technology
- Computer Systems Technician
Criminal Justice and Law
- Criminal Justice
- Paralegal
Graphics, Design, and Arts
- Art
- Digital Arts
- Film
- Graphic Design
- Music
Healthcare Administration and Services
- Healthcare Management
- Public Health
Healthcare and Nursing
- Nursing
- Physician Assistant
Wellness
- Physical Therapy
Campus Locations
Franklin Pierce Main Campus 40 University Drive, Rindge, NH 03461
Franklin Pierce at Manchester 670 North Commercial Street, Center Tower, Third Floor, Manchester, NH 03101
Franklin Pierce at Lebanon 24 Airport Road, Suite 19, West Lebanon, NH 03784
Franklin Pierce at Portsmouth 119 International Drive, Pourtsmouth, NH 03801
Franklin Pierce at Goodyear, Arizona 14455 West Van Buren Street, Building A, Suite 100, Goodyear, AZ 85338
Financial Aid Services
The school offers different financial aid packages based on the degree program. Eligible students may apply for Franklin Pierce scholarships. Attendees can consult with experts on campus to help with finding resources to pay for school.
Student Services
Franklin Pierce University has a variety of clubs that students can join. Attendees have access to the school’s writing center, as well as peer-tutoring, for help with their studies. Counseling and outreach programs, which students may schedule online or in person, are available.
Career Services
Students can receive assistance with resume building, cover letter writing, and mock interviews. Job searching strategies, such as building an online presence and developing strong research practices, are also available on FPU’s website.
Veteran and Military Services
Veterans applying to FPU may be able to apply their previous military experience toward college coursework. The school accepts many military education benefits, including the GI Bill. Several credits from non-collegiate sources, including CLEP and ACE, may transfer.
Alumni Services
FPU alumni have access to several networking and social events throughout the year. They can also take part in several different committees. These can range from organizing class reunions to recommending changes to bylaws. The school honors former students with a yearly award ceremony.