Head-to-head · 2026
Franklin Pierce University vs Plymouth State University
Compare average net price ($27,154 at Franklin Pierce University; $19,216 at Plymouth State University), ROI score (4.91 vs 7.46), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($53,353 vs $57,304), and admissions selectivity (93.5% acceptance at Franklin Pierce University; 87.5% at Plymouth State University) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Franklin Pierce University | Plymouth State University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 4.91 | 7.46 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $27,154 | $19,216 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $108,616 | $76,864 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $46,442 | $14,626 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $46,442 | $25,566 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $53,353 | $57,304 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 93.5% | 87.5% |
| Graduation rate | 53.5% ✓ | 52% |
| Retention rate | 74.3% ✓ | 68.5% |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $26,000 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 992 | 3,153 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1175 | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Franklin Pierce University | Plymouth State University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $19,364 | $14,676 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $23,557 | $14,714 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $24,473 | $17,030 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $26,943 | $21,157 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $30,860 | $23,020 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Franklin Pierce University | Plymouth State University |
|---|---|---|
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | 14.1% | 2.2% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 10.7% | 5.3% |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | 12.3% | 2.4% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 2.9% | 8.2% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 4.7% | 5.9% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 4.7% | 5.4% |
| Marketing | 4% | 4.6% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 6% | 2.4% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Plymouth State University reports the lower average net price by $7,938 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $31,752 difference over four years ($76,864 vs $108,616).
Plymouth State University reports $3,951 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($57,304 vs $53,353). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 74.3% at Franklin Pierce University and 68.5% at Plymouth State University. Median federal debt among completers is $27,000 vs $26,000, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Franklin Pierce University vs Plymouth State University, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Plymouth State University is cheaper — average net price $19,216 per year vs $27,154 at Franklin Pierce University. The annual difference of $7,938 adds up to about $31,752 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Plymouth State University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $57,304 vs $53,353 at Franklin Pierce University. The gap in the federal data is $3,951. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Plymouth State University is more selective at 87.5% acceptance vs 93.5% at Franklin Pierce University.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.