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Franklin and Marshall College

Lancaster, PA·Private nonprofit·1,904 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. solid earnings of $69,200 within 10 years; strong 86% graduation rate.

32%
Accept
1,904
Students
$39,061
Net Price
86%
Grad Rate
$69,200
Earnings
10 yr
$19,000
Debt

About This School

Franklin and Marshall College is a private nonprofit institution located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with approximately 1,904 undergraduate students enrolled. The school is moderately selective, accepting approximately 32% of applicants. The average net price after financial aid is $39,061 per year. The graduation rate is 86%, and the typical graduate earns $69,200 within 10 years of enrollment.

Franklin & Marshall College (F&M) is a private liberal arts college in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1787 as Franklin College and later merged with Marshall College in 1853, it is one of the oldest colleges in the United States. F&M is named after Benjamin Franklin, who gave the college its first endowment, and John Marshall.

One of the oldest liberal arts colleges in the country, F&M offers a genuinely intimate academic experience with just under 1,900 undergrads, an 86% graduation rate, and a relatively manageable median debt of $19,000 at graduation. The concern worth flagging is the $39,061 average net price — that's not cheap, and median earnings of $69,200 a decade out means you're not looking at a fast payoff, so families should pressure-test the financial aid offer carefully. Worth considering if a small, research-oriented liberal arts environment appeals to you and the aid package brings costs down meaningfully.

Founded
1787
Setting
Small city

Popular Programs

Social Sciences19%
Biological Sciences11%
Business & Marketing11%
Health Professions6%
Physical Sciences5%
Mathematics5%
English3%
Visual & Performing Arts2%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Roy ScheiderTreat WilliamsFranklin J. SchaffnerRichard WintersScott RitterJennifer GareisChris FinchWilliam FerrelTikhon MollardKenneth DubersteinAmos Arthur HellerMary Lovelace Schapiro

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average Composite1394
Reading 75th %ile730
Math 75th %ile730

ACT Scores

Midpoint CompositeN/A

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$68,380
Out-of-State Tuition
$68,380
Avg Net Price
$39,061
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants17%
Median debt at graduation$19,000

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
86%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
85%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$69,200
after enrollment
Median Debt
$19,000
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$19,000
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$49,200
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$69,200
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 3.6x

Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White58%
Black5%
Hispanic/Latino10%
Asian5%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (1,904 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Franklin and Marshall College

College Ave

Lancaster, PA 17604-3003

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Pennsylvania

Browse all Pennsylvania schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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