Franklin University Expands Pathway Portal Partnership with North Central State College, Continuing its Commitment to Affordable Degree Completion

Contact:

Sherry Mercurio
Executive Director, Office of Community Relations
(614) 947-6581
Email: sherry.mercurio@franklin.edu

Franklin University is proud to expand its longstanding commitment to Ohio’s community college students through a newly launched Pathway Portal partnership with North Central State College. Building on years of collaboration with NC State—recognized nationally as an Achieving the Dream Leader College of Distinction—this initiative reinforces both institutions’ shared mission to make higher education more affordable and accessible for working adults.

Through this partnership, North Central State students and alumni can now access Franklin’s Pathway Portal—a transfer-friendly platform that simplifies the transition from associate to bachelor’s degree. Eligible students will benefit from a special tuition rate of $298 per credit hour, offering $100 per credit hour savings off standard undergraduate tuition rates.

“For many years, Franklin University has been a respected transfer destination for North Central State College students,” said Kelly Gray, vice president, academic and student services. “This new Pathway Portal enhances that relationship by providing even clearer pathways, flexible online options, and reduced tuition, making bachelor’s degree completion more accessible for our students and graduates.”

Franklin’s Pathway Portal is designed to help students maximize their associate degree credits by clearly outlining how they apply toward one of Franklin's 28 bachelor's degree programs. Students can easily explore program options, understand transfer pathways, and take advantage of lower tuition rates—creating a seamless, student-centered transfer experience.

North Central State joins Franklin’s growing network of Pathway Portal partners, which includes community colleges across Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Kentucky, North Carolina, and West Virginia. Since the Pathway Portal’s launch in March 2023, more than 6,000 students from 35 institutions have used the platform to continue their education affordably and efficiently.

This expanded partnership opens more doors for North Central State students and alumni—making it easier than ever to turn associate degrees into career-focused bachelor’s degrees at an affordable cost.
To explore Franklin’s Pathway Portal and see how your credits transfer, visit:  https://bit.ly/3Hubpni.

About North Central State College
North Central State is a community college that serves 2,800 students on its Mansfield campus, Kehoe Center in Shelby, and the Crawford Success Center in Bucyrus. The College is preparing this area’s workforce by offering more than 60 bachelor’s degree, associate degree and certificate programs of study, which include comprehensive technical education in health sciences, general studies, public service, business, engineering technology, and corporate/community services. In addition to technical studies, North Central State College offers numerous associate of arts and associate of science degrees, which allow students to transfer credits to colleges and universities in the pursuit of advanced degrees. 

About Franklin University

Accredited, nonprofit, and dedicated to educating adults since 1902, Franklin provides onsite course options at our Main Campus in downtown Columbus, Ohio, and is an innovator in providing personalized online education. The University offers applied in-demand undergraduate, masters, and doctorate programs that enable adult learners to achieve their educational and professional goals. Through agreements with partner institutions, the University also offers international academic programs, including its top-ranked MBA.

Franklin University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and holds specialized accreditations for specific academic programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, and the Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management Education. The National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security have designated Franklin University as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE).