Acceptance Rate
28%
Avg. SAT
1463
75th percentile
“Franklin & Marshall wraps ambitious liberal arts rigor in a collaborative small-college package amid Pennsylvania's Amish heartland.”
Lancaster, PA
Location
Small City
Campus Setting
You'll step into a legacy that began in 1787 when Benjamin Franklin chartered Franklin College, merging decades later with Marshall College—named for Chief Justice John Marshall—to form a scrappy survivor of America's early republic. Franklin & Marshall carries that understated grit today, drawing students who crave deep discussions and personal mentorship over flashy resumes, the kind who join Model UN or debate clubs because they genuinely love ideas, not just accolades. The campus hums with a earnest, team-oriented personality: think group study sessions spilling into late-night dorm hangs, where professors know your name and push you to connect dots across disciplines. Nestled in Lancaster, a compact city of 60,000 with cobblestone streets, outlet malls, and buggy-riding Amish farms just minutes away, you'll bike to markets for shoofly pie or explore restored historic districts—but trade that charm for limited urban buzz; Philly's two hours east, and winters bring gray skies and slushy commutes.
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Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
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Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Degree Levels Offered
In F&M's classrooms, expect professors who cold-call you into Socratic sparring matches, fostering a culture where you dissect policy memos in government seminars or model climate data in environmental science labs—hallmarks of standout programs like the AACSB-accredited Joseph Center for Business or the neuroscience major that lands kids in top med schools. With a 9:1 student-faculty ratio sharper than most peers (beating out even some Ivies), you'll co-author papers on everything from neural plasticity to international diplomacy, thanks to initiatives like the Diplomats-in-Residence, where actual State Department envoys guest-teach. Research feels accessible, not elite-only, but you'll forgo massive labs or grad-student competition; the intellectual vibe rewards curious grinders over lone geniuses, though breadth narrows compared to bigger universities.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
1,808 undergrad • 0 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
58%
Black / African American
5%
Hispanic / Latino
10%
Asian
5%
Other / Multi-racial
22%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
Lancaster, PA
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
A typical week at F&M pulses with morning lectures, afternoon club meetings—maybe lacrosse practice if you're a Diplomat athlete—and evenings at Ware Center events featuring indie bands or guest speakers, all while living on campus in one of 34 residence halls or themed houses like the Wellness or Green House. Social life revolves around moderate Greek life (about 40% join), tailgates for Division III powerhouse lacrosse, and spontaneous warehouse parties, but the vibe stays collaborative rather than cutthroat; you'll bond over Midnight Breakfast during finals, where faculty serve pancakes at 2 a.m. Lancaster offers quirky escapes like Central Market's fresh pretzels or nearby Strasburg Rail Road rides, yet the small-city scene challenges partiers seeking big nightlife—think house shows over clubs—and the tight-knit community means gossip travels fast, suiting extroverted networkers but overwhelming the highly introverted.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
Centennial Conference
ROTC & Veteran Support
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Member of DoD Voluntary Educational Partnership MOU
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
Net Annual Cost by Household Income
Household Income
Avg. Net Cost
$0 – $30K
$14,608
$30K – $48K
$15,729
$48K – $75K
$20,011
$75K – $110K
$28,114
$110K+
$46,582
Apply for Financial Aid
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Costs shown are before financial aid. Most students receive some form of aid. Complete the FAFSA to see what you qualify for.
Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
90%
4 Years Graduation Rate
76%
6 Years Graduation Rate
82%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$76,124
90% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at Franklin & Marshall College and return in the fall. 76% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 82% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
76%
4-5 years
6%
6-8 years
1%
Non-grad
17%
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Key Statistics
Type
Private
Tuition
$65,652
Acceptance
28%
Undergrads
1,808
4-Year Grad Rate
76%
Endowment
$314M
Lancaster, PA 17604-3003