Franklin University has a history of serving adult students that spans more than a hundred years. It was founded in 1902 at the Columbus YMCA, under its sponsorship as the YMCA School of Commerce. It would change its name to Franklin University in 1933, and would amicably discontinue its formal affiliation with the YMCA in 1964. Five years later, in 1969, the institution would open its first building, Frasch Hall. In 1976, Franklin University earned regional accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.In 1993, Franklin offered its first graduate program, the Master of Business Administration (MBA).