Franklin Pierce University empowers undergraduate and graduate students to achieve their academic best and embark on meaningful, successful careers through our highly personalized and financially accessible programs. Drawing on our strong foundation in liberal education, we offer a broad range of majors across disciplines of business, health science, natural and behavioral sciences, education, arts and humanities, as well as pathway programs to graduate study in health fields, business and education. All our programs develop essential skills, provide meaningful hands-on experience, and promote close connections between students, faculty and staff.
Franklin Pierce was founded in 1962 by Frank S. DiPietro, who also served as its first president. As the institution has expanded in size and reputation, it has adhered to DiPietro's vision of a "small college that fosters intimate relationships between those who learn and those who teach."
Franklin Pierce College was formally recognized as Franklin Pierce University in 2007, reflecting the growth of undergraduate opportunities, the addition of graduate-level degrees, and the institution's expanding national reach. Today, Franklin Pierce encompasses a broad geographic and virtual network that includes an undergraduate campus in Rindge, New Hampshire and 5 graduate centers in New Hampshire and Arizona.
Our campuses and programs share a common focus: cultivating students' success and helping them achieve their goals within a highly personalized learning environment. With a 12:1 faculty-to-student ratio, our faculty members bring passion to their work to help shape well-rounded, conscientious learners who make connections between their intellectual development, ethical behavior, and career success.
Franklin Pierce is a NCAA Division II institution, with 26 varsity teams for men and women, and over 40 intramural programs/activities. Franklin Pierce Ravens have earned 86 NCAA Championship appearances, and our Hall of Famers include national titles, Olympians, World Cup stars and an army of drafted professional athletes.
Franklin Pierce University makes a firm commitment to affordability, and 100% of our residential undergraduates receive financial aid.
About
From the School
Contact & Visit
Campus Visits Contact
Contact
Melissa Conway
Assistant Director of Admissions
Assistant Director of Admissions
Address
40 University Drive
Rindge, NH 03461
Rindge, NH 03461
Phone
800-437-0048
Email
admissions@franklinpierce.edu
Experience College Life
Most Popular Places On Campus
Peterson Hall
The Campus Center
The Northfields Activity Center
The Fitzwater Center for Communications
The Pub
The Campus Center
The Northfields Activity Center
The Fitzwater Center for Communications
The Pub
Most Popular Places Off Campus
Mt. Monadnock State Park
Keene NH -The Colony Mill Mall
Boston, MA
Cathedral of the Pines
Skiing and Snowboarding Areas
http://franklinpierce.edu/studentlife/todo/everything_else.htm
Keene NH -The Colony Mill Mall
Boston, MA
Cathedral of the Pines
Skiing and Snowboarding Areas
http://franklinpierce.edu/studentlife/todo/everything_else.htm
Campus Tours
Campus Visiting Center
Monday-Saturday
9:00- 3:00
800-437-0048
9:00- 3:00
800-437-0048
Campus Tours
Appointment Required: Yes
Dates: Year-round
Times: Varies
Average Length: 1 hour
Dates: Year-round
Times: Varies
Average Length: 1 hour
On Campus Interview
Campus Interviews
Yes
Information Sessions
Available
Times
Fall and Spring Open Houses
Faculty and Coach Visits
Dates/Times Available
Year-round
Arrangements
Contact Coach Directly
Advance Notice
1 week
Contact Email Address for Visit
admissions@franklinpierce.edu
Class Visits
Dates/Times Available
Academic Year
Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office
Overnight Dorm Stays
Overnight Dorm Stays
Not Available
Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office
Limitations
Accepted Students-will be notified of dates
Transportation
Types of Transportation Available to Campus
Shuttle buses, personal auto. Airports are located in Manchester, NH and Boston, MA (Logan International).Airport shuttle is available with advance arrangements.
Driving Instructions to Campus
Franklin Pierce University is located off Route 119 in Rindge, New Hampshire, just minutes north of the Massachusetts border. Approximate driving time from New York City is 4 1/2 hours; from Boston, MA is 90 minutes; and from Keene, NH is 25 minutes.
Local Accommodations
Situated on 1,200 wooded acres in the heart of the Monadnock Region, Franklin Pierce University boasts breathtaking views of Pearly Pond and the famed Mount Monadnock (the second most climbed mountain in the world). Located near the University are charming New England towns which make for pleasant sight-seeing, fruitful antique hunting, and shopping.Accommodations in the surrounding area range from historic bed-and-breakfasts to economic hotels and motels. Rates and services at establishments vary.
Save SchoolAdmissions
Overall
From The School
Franklin Pierce is centered around student success. The application for admission should be a true reflection of the student, because it will be evaluated based upon that student's potential to succeed at the University. High school coursework and grades serve as the most important factors in the application review process. The essay, recommendations, involvement in school and community, and personal qualities and character will also be given strong consideration. Consistent high school achievement is generally a valid predictor of success at Franklin Pierce, because of the small classes and accessible faculty members on campus. With rolling admissions, we accept applications at any time.
Prospective students and their families are strongly encouraged to visit the campus. Open House events are held in the fall, winter and spring, and individual student-led tours can be scheduled at any time. Tours of campus typically last 45-60 minutes and provide the opportunity to learn more about Pierce from a student's perspective. Following the tour, students and their families can meet with an Admissions Counselor for casual conversation about the admissions process, academic programs, and any necessary next steps.
Applicants are expected to submit the following:
Common application
High school/college transcripts or GED certification
Letter of recommendation
Essay/writing sample
SAT or ACT test scores (optional for most programs)
Overview
Applicants:
Acceptance Rate:
Average HS GPA: 2.80
Test Scores
Testing Policies
Other Admission Factors
Academic
Academic GPA
Recommendation(s)
Non-Academic
Character / Personal Qualities
Selectivity Rating
Get a personalized plan for a competitive application from an admissions expert.
Learn MoreAcademics
Academics
Overall
From The School
Academic Programs
Whether they are residential undergraduates or online learners, Franklin Pierce students acquire the skills required for success in tomorrow's workforce while cultivating the depth of knowledge embodied within a traditional liberal education.
Undergraduates can choose among 23 majors in the divisions of Business, Natural Sciences, Behavioral Sciences, Humanities, Education and Visual/Performing Arts. Minors, concentrations and undergraduate certificates allow students to develop a secondary concentration of coursework in a particular subject area or theme.
Majors and Degrees Offered
Majors offered:
Accounting/Finance
Anthropology
Biology
Communication
Criminal Justice
Digital Media Design
Education – Elementary
Education – Secondary
Education – General Special Education
Emergency Medical Services
English
Environmental Science
Environmental Studies
Healthcare Administration
Health Sciences
History
Management
Marketing
Music
Political Science
Psychology
Sports Media
Sports & Recreation Management
Student-designed major
Minors, certificates and concentrations offered:
Advertising
Archaeology
Business Administration
Chemistry
Creative Writing
Documentary Studies
Forensic Accounting
Forensic Psychology
Global Citizenship
Intelligence & Security Studies
Journalism/Media Production
Media Studies
Paralegal
Philosophy
Pre-Law
Pre-Med
Pre-Physical Therapy
Public History
Public Relations
Sociology
Spanish
Sustainability
Women in Leadership
Internships, co-operative learning and workforce partnership
A Franklin Pierce education integrates academic instruction with meaningful experiential learning through internships, clinical rotations, capstone projects and concurrent work experience. Franklin Pierce partners with a wide variety of organizations, from local businesses and government, to regional hospitals and healthcare facilities. Our unique partnership with C&S Wholesale Grocers, the largest wholesale grocery supplier in the country, gives students internship opportunities and a pathway to employment after graduation.
Accelerated programs
Rindge-based undergraduates who aspire to enroll in one of our graduate offerings after completing their undergraduate degree can get started on that path right away. For example, qualified undergraduates in our Health Sciences major can continue on to our highly selective Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Our Business Plus+ program enables qualified freshmen to pursue a path to earning their bachelor's degree and Master of Business Administration in 4 years, maximizing the value of their time and their tuition investment.
Pathway programs include:
Business Plus Accelerated Programs
Environmental Studies/Science Degree to Master's Program
Health Sciences/Doctor of Physical Therapy Direct Admit Program
Pre-Physical Therapy Pathway
MD or DVM Pathway
Honors Programs
The Honors program provides a challenging intellectual community and engaging co-curricular options to invited students. The program offers honors sections of core courses, selected honors electives, and honors options in major courses.
Study Abroad
Options to study abroad range from relevant two-week intensives that are built into selected courses, to longer language immersion programs over school breaks, to full semesters enrolled in foreign universities. Our signature "Pierce on the Camino" program is a semester-long international studies program spent with 12 fellow students and a faculty member on the long-distance walk along one of the oldest and most beloved pilgrimage routes in the world: the Camino de Santiago. This unforgettable adventure engages students in active learning and challenges them to grow on many levels—intellectually, physically and spiritually.
Faculty and Class Information
Student/Faculty
18:1
Total Faculty
219
with Terminal Degree
92
121
Men
98
Women
14
Minority
Most frequent class size
10 - 19
Most frequent lab / sub section size
2 - 9
Graduation Rates
Graduate in 4 years
Graduate in 5 years
Graduate in 6 years
Majors
-
BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES.
Biology/Biological Sciences, General.
-
BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, AND RELATED SUPPORT SERVICES.
Accounting and Business/Management.
Accounting.
Business/Commerce, General.
Finance, General.
Management Information Systems, General.
Marketing/Marketing Management, General.
-
COMMUNICATION, JOURNALISM, AND RELATED PROGRAMS.
Advertising.
Mass Communication/Media Studies.
-
COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES/TECHNICIANS AND SUPPORT SERVICES.
Graphic Communications, General.
-
COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES.
Computer and Information Sciences, Other.
Computer and Information Sciences, General.
Computer Graphics.
Information Technology.
-
EDUCATION.
Art Teacher Education.
Biology Teacher Education.
Education, General.
English/Language Arts Teacher Education.
History Teacher Education.
Mathematics Teacher Education.
Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education.
Social Science Teacher Education.
Social Studies Teacher Education.
-
ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS.
English Language and Literature, General.
-
HEALTH PROFESSIONS AND RELATED PROGRAMS.
Nursing, Other.
Physical Therapy/Therapist.
Physician Assistant.
Pre-Dentistry Studies.
Pre-Medicine/Pre-Medical Studies.
Pre-Veterinary Studies.
-
HISTORY.
History, General.
-
HOMELAND SECURITY, LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIREFIGHTING AND RELATED PROTECTIVE SERVICES.
Criminal Justice/Safety Studies.
-
LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES, GENERAL STUDIES AND HUMANITIES.
Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies.
-
MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS.
Mathematics, General.
-
NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION.
Environmental Science.
Environmental Studies.
-
PARKS, RECREATION, LEISURE, AND FITNESS STUDIES.
Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management, General.
Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies.
Sport and Fitness Administration/Management.
-
PSYCHOLOGY.
Psychology, General.
-
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND SOCIAL SERVICE PROFESSIONS.
Social Work.
-
SOCIAL SCIENCES.
Anthropology, Other.
Anthropology.
Archeology.
Physical and Biological Anthropology.
Political Science and Government, General.
Social Sciences, General.
Sociology.
-
VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS.
Acting.
Art History, Criticism and Conservation.
Arts Management.
Commercial and Advertising Art.
Dance, General.
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General.
Fine/Studio Arts, General.
Graphic Design.
Music Performance, General.
Music Theory and Composition.
Technical Theatre/Theatre Design and Technology.
Visual and Performing Arts, General.
Degrees
Associate
Bachelor's
Certificate
Doctoral
Master's
Post-Master's certificate
Bachelor's
Certificate
Doctoral
Master's
Post-Master's certificate
Career Services
On-Campus Job Interviews Available
Yes
Career Services
Alumni Network
Alumni Services
Classes
Interest Inventory
Internships
Regional Alumni
Opportunities at School
Experiential
Internship
Notable Faculty
Prominent Alumni
Dr. Temple Grandin
Professor of Animal Science, author
Peter McGrath
Environmental Trial Lawyer
Henry Simmons
TV star, NYPD Blue
Gene Chiavone
CEO, Essex Credit Corporation
Robert Patterson
CEO, The Space Connection, Inc.
Adam Taylor
Owner:
Randall Kennedy
VP, Campus Crossroads
Careers
Graduation Rates
Graduate in 4 years
Graduate in 5 years
Graduate in 6 years
Career Services
On-Campus Job Interviews Available
Yes
Career Services
Alumni Network
Alumni Services
Classes
Interest Inventory
Internships
Regional Alumni
Opportunities at School
Experiential
Internship
ROI & Outcomes
Tuition & Aid
Tuition & Aid
Overview
From The School
Tuition, Room, Board and Fees
Tuition and fees for the 2018-2019 academic year totaled $36,900; room and board varies with accommodations, with a standard double room and unlimited meal plan costing $14,345. All our students at the College of Rindge receive financial aid.
Financial Aid
A Franklin Pierce University education is more affordable than you think. We are committed to helping every student and their family find the resources they need to make their education at Franklin Pierce a reality.
All students at Rindge receive financial aid, with an average aid package of $39,490. All admitted students receive personal attention and professional advice to guide you through financing options, including loans and scholarships.
Dates
Application Deadlines
Notification Date
Feb 1
Required Forms
FAFSA
Financial Aid Statistics
Average Freshman Total Need-Based Gift Aid
$14,645
Average Undergraduate Total Need-Based Gift Aid
$13,808
Average Need-Based Loan
$4,899
Average amount of each freshman scholarship/grant package
$15,500
Financial aid provided to international students
No
Expenses per Academic Year
Tuition
$30,870
Required Fees
$2,450
Average Cost for Books and Supplies
$1,000
Tuition / Fees Vary by Year of Study
No
Board for Commuters
$1,248
Transportation for Commuters
On-Campus Room and Board
$12,546
Comprehensive Fee
Available Aid
Financial Aid Methodology
Federal
Scholarships and Grants
Need-Based
Need-Based College/University Scholarship or Grant Aid from Institutional Funds
Need-Based Federal Pell
Need-Based Private Scholarships
Need-Based SEOG
Need-Based State Scholarships
Non-Need-Based
Institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid is available
Federal Direct Student Loan Programs
Federal Family Education Loan Programs (FFEL)
Federal Perkins Loans
Is Institutional Employment Available (other than Federal Work Study)
Yes
Direct Lender
No
Student Body
Student Body
Overall
From The School
The residential College at Rindge includes 1422 full-time and part-time students, and offers a vibrant student life that includes athletics, a wide range of student-led activities, clubs and organizations, and lots of opportunities for service in the local community. While 80% of our undergraduates come from the New England states, the most recent incoming class represented 25 states and six countries.
In addition to residential students, 208 undergraduates are enrolled in online programs. Online classes offer maximum flexibility for adult learners to earn bachelor's degrees and certificates, as well as graduate degrees in nursing, business and education.
Student life plays a vital role in the undergraduate experience at Franklin Pierce. Forty percent of undergraduates participate in athletics, on one or more of our 26 Division II varsity sports teams or 40 intramural sports teams. Our scholar athletes demonstrate an impressive level of character and commitment—maintaining a high average GPA, completing thousands of hours of community service, and graduating prepared to succeed in their careers.
From our Student Government program and Environmental Club to our Community Assistants and Spirit Leaders, campus-based organizations reflect Franklin Pierce's emphasis on shaping well-rounded students who understand the value of service and civic engagement.
Student Body Profile
Total Undergraduate Enrollment
1,474
Demographics
52% female
48% male
100% are full time
0% are part time
Campus Life
Campus Life
Overview
From The School
Campus Facilities & Equipment
The Marlin Fitzwater Center for Communication is a world-class center for teaching civic engagement through student-run print, radio, television and digital media. Students actively participate in election cycles, spot trends working in the award-winning Franklin Pierce University Polling center, and use their national press credentials to report live from caucuses, primaries and campaign offices.
Franklin Pierce Athletics offers a wide range of facilities for intercollegiate, intramural and community use, including one of the premier college baseball facilities in the Northeast. In addition, students have access to the Fieldhouse, Boathouse, and "The Bubble," a 72,000 square foot indoor facility with weight room, cardio/strength area, tennis courts, basketball/volleyball courts, a 50-yard turf field and a two-lane track.
The Center for Academic Excellence/Wensberg Writing Center is a place where students develop skills and academic strategies with guidance from professors, learning specialists, administrative assistants, and certified peer tutors.
At The Lloyd & Helen Ament Astmann '69 Career Center, students can begin the process of career preparation the moment they arrive on campus. Career Services also supports parents, alumni and employers looking to hire Pierce grads.
Residential life options on campus range from traditional dorms, including Honors, Wellness and Global Living communities, to apartment and townhouse-style residences for upperclassmen. Dining facilities include a central dining hall offering a range of meal plans, and options around campus for coffee, pastries, snacks and wraps to go.
Franklin Pierce Health Services provides a full range of primary care, referrals and educational services tailored to the individual and unique needs of college students on the Rindge campus.
Campus Safety operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Students can use the Campus Shuttle and Safe Ride service to get around campus, and Campus Safety escorts are available at any time. The Franklin Pierce University Fire Department is run by student volunteers, and responds to all fires, fire alarms and hazardous materials incidents in coordination with the Rindge Fire Department.
Off-Campus Opportunities
The main campus of Franklin Pierce University is located in Rindge, New Hampshire, in the heart of the Monadnock region. Our spectacular 1200-acre campus is nestled between Mount Monadnock and Pearly Pond. This part of the country is known for its natural beauty, safe communities and exceptional quality of life. Bouldering, kayaking, sailing, hiking, skating and more are in easy reach on campus, and a busy Adventure Recreation staff organizes backpacking, rock climbing, skiing and snowboarding trips to other New Hampshire recreational areas. An active Residential Life staff maintains a full calendar of social events, films, speakers and activities right on campus.
Students have easy access to the nearby towns of Keene, Peterborough and Nashua for student-friendly shopping, entertainment and volunteer opportunities. The cultural offerings, sporting events and entertainment of Boston are 90 minutes away by car, and it's easy to get to the White Mountains, the New England seacoast, Providence and Hartford.
Campus Life
Undergrads living on campus
87%
Help finding off-campus housing
Yes
First-Year Students living on campus
95%
Campus Environment
Rural
94/99
Housing Options
Apartment Single
Disabled Student
Disabled Student
Dorms Coed
Other
Wellness Housing
Other
Wellness Housing
Special Needs Admissions
College Entrance Tests Required
No
Interview Required
No
Special Need Services Offered
Student Activities
Registered Student Organizations
35
Number of Honor Societies
8
Number of Social Sororities
0
Number of Religious Organizations
3
Sports
Athletic Division
Division II
Men's Sports (Ravens)
8 Sports
Baseball
Basketball
Crew Rowing
Golf
Ice Hockey
Rugby
Soccer
Tennis
Basketball
Crew Rowing
Golf
Ice Hockey
Rugby
Soccer
Tennis
Women's Sports (Ravens)
8 Sports
Basketball
Crew Rowing
Cross Country
Field Hockey
Lacrosse
Soccer
Softball
Volleyball
Crew Rowing
Cross Country
Field Hockey
Lacrosse
Soccer
Softball
Volleyball
Student Services
Health
LGBT Support Groups
Minority Support Groups
Army ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: University of New Hampshire at Durham
Air Force ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: University of New Hampshire at Durham
LGBT Support Groups
Minority Support Groups
Army ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: University of New Hampshire at Durham
Air Force ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: University of New Hampshire at Durham
Sustainability
60*
Campus Security Report
Campus Security Report
The Jeanne Clery Act requires colleges and universities to disclose their security policies, keep a public crime log, publish an annual crime report and provide timely warnings to students and campus employees about a crime posing an immediate or ongoing threat to students and campus employees.
Please visit The Princeton Review’s page on campus safety for additional resources: http://www.princetonreview.com/safety
The Princeton Review publishes links directly to each school's Campus Security Reports where available. Applicants can also access all school-specific campus safety information using the Campus Safety and Security Data Analysis Cutting Tool provided by the Office of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education: https://ope.ed.gov/campussafety/#/
Other Information
Campus-wide Internet Network
Yes
% of Classrooms with Wireless Internet
20
Fee for Network Use
No
Partnerships with Technology Companies
Yes
Personal computer included in tuition for each student
No
Discounts Available with Hardware Vendors
Yes
Description
GovConnection
