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Franklin and Marshall College

Franklin and Marshall College

Lancaster, PA · City · 1,799 students
Website Common App Forbes ranking Scorecard
Nov 15 · Early Decision I (binding) · in 35 days
Checked Sep 2026 · fandm.edu
$36,425
Average net priceYour net price
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
85%
Graduation rate
69% typical
$76,124
Earnings 10 years on
$58,391 typical
28%
Acceptance rate
64% typical · not scored
Accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education
About

Franklin & Marshall College is a top-tier liberal arts institution in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, renowned for its strong undergraduate research focus and standout programs in the natural sciences, government, and pre-health preparation. A defining feature of the student experience is the College House system, which organizes undergraduates into close-knit, self-governing residential communities led by faculty mentors. Campus culture is collaborative, intellectually rigorous, and community-minded, offering students direct access to faculty-mentored research opportunities like the Hackman Scholars program alongside easy access to Lancaster's vibrant downtown.

Wikipedia: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.

Location
Lancaster, PA, 17604-3003 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
PHL · Philadelphia
58 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$70,794
Housing & food (on campus)$16,188
Books & supplies$800
Cost of attendance$97,041
Average net price$36,425
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$70,794
Housing & food (on campus)$16,188
Books & supplies$800
Cost of attendance$97,041
Average net price$36,425
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.fandm.edu
How it’s made up
Tuition$74,770
Housing$12,080
Food$7,240
Books & supplies$800
Personal expenses$1,350
Transportation$400
Total published by the school$97,041
Net price by family income
$0–30k
$12,321
$30–48k
$16,942
$48–75k
$16,245
$75–110k
$25,104
$110k+
$49,996
Grants from the school
80% of first-years get a grant from the school, averaging $40,582
Source: College Navigator (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS)
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
85%
Within 4 yrs
76%
Back for yr 2
90%
Transferred
11%
Pell students: 84.8% · others: 83.6% 
8 yrs after starting
84% graduated · 13% transferred · 3% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings
6 yrs after entry$62,544
10 yrs after entry$76,124
Debt
Median at graduation$19,000
Monthly payment$201
Middle 50% owe$11k–$25.8k
90th percentile$28,178
Green marks a figure above the typical Baccalaureate — arts & sciences: 69% graduate within 6 yrs, $58,391 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in
Admit rate
28%
Test policy
Test optional
SAT average
1392
R 660–730 · M 650–733
SAT middle 50%: 1310–1463
40080012001600
Admitted students
Admit rate: men 25.3% · women 31.0% 
Yield: 17.1% of admitted students enroll 
Application deadlines · first-year, fall 2027 entry
Early Decision I
Nov 15 2026
binding in 35 days
If admitted, you must enroll and withdraw other applications.
Early Decision II
Jan 15 2027
binding in 96 days
A later Early Decision round: if admitted, you must enroll and withdraw other applications.
Checked Sep 2026 · fandm.edu · Confirm on the school's site before you apply.

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Essay prompts
How much essays count at Franklin and Marshall College: Important (one of four levels: very important · important · considered · not considered)
Source: Franklin and Marshall College's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).

If Franklin and Marshall College asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 49%Women 51%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
9 : 1
Pell grant
16%
First-gen
19%
Family income
$84,574
Age at entry
19.0
Part-time
0%
Where first-years come from
In state (PA)
28.9%
Out of state
54.5%
International
16.6%

Most out-of-state first-years from: NJ 61 · NY 60 · MD 23 · CT 22 · VA 18

Race & ethnicity
White
59%
Hispanic
9%
Black
5%
Asian
5%
Two or more
4%
Non-resident
17%
Unknown
1%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division III with football
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Cross Country
    Men's · Women's
  • Field Hockey
    Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Lacrosse
    Men's · Women's
  • Rowing
    Men's · Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Squash
    Men's · Women's
  • Swimming
    Men's · Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field (Indoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field (Outdoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
  • Wrestling
    Men's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs
After 6 yrs
$62,544
After 10 yrs
$76,124
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other92
Business Administration, Management and Operations62
Behavioral Sciences51
Mathematics45
Economics41
Political Science and Government41
Public Health36
Biology, General24
Sociology21
Natural Resources Conservation and Research19
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology19
Anthropology18
Neurobiology and Neurosciences15
Area Studies14
Computer Science14
Physics13
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$468M
Full-time faculty
79%
Faculty salary
$11,293/mo
Teaching spend
$20,636
per student
Federal loans
44%
Classification
Carnegie type
Baccalaureate — arts & sciences
Research activity
Research college or university
$5M research spending
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, more selective admissions

Wondering if Franklin and Marshall College is the right fit for you?

omhu builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search