The Benjamin Franklin University was founded in Washington, D.C. in 1925, and was a successor to Pace Institute. The University was based in Benjamin Franklin’s doctrine of thrift and self-reliance, and was aimed at students who worked full-time. After completing three years of courses in both accountancy, and business administration, students were eligible to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Commercial Science. The University also offered master’s degrees in Commercial Science. The University closed in August 1987 after the District’s accountancy board introduced new regulations for degrees which would require expanded liberal arts courses and additional full-time faculty members.
Although the University was open to women from its founding, Black students were barred from enrolling until 1964. By its closing in 1987 the University had graduated approximately 8,000 students. Those students enrolled when the University closed were granted reduced tuition at George Washington University to complete their degrees.