About
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.
Admissions & acceptance rate
First-time freshman admissions: how selective the college is, and how many admitted students choose to enroll.
Graduation rate & outcomes
Completion, retention, and the equity gap between Pell and non-Pell students.
Pell equity
Pell and non-Pell students graduate at nearly identical rates, a notably small equity gap.
Source: IPEDS Graduation Rates (GR) — Pell/SSL cohort, 2024 cohort.
Program outcomes
Federal Program Performance Data: how each program's graduate earnings and debt measure up under Financial Value Transparency and Gainful Employment.
Of 41 Title IV programs, 6 pass the federal Gainful Employment test and 0 fail. 35 have graduate earnings too small to publish, so they carry no pass/fail verdict.
Pass / fail distribution
- Passing6 · 14.6%
- No Data35 · 85.4%
- Failing0 · 0.0%
Severity spectrum
Tiers band programs by how far graduate earnings sit above or below the benchmark, from Critical (below −15%) through Safe (above +25%). No data means earnings were privacy-suppressed.
Earnings premium gap
Graduate earnings versus the federal benchmark, worst gaps first.
Debt vs earnings
Median completer debt against median graduate earnings, highest burden first.
Accreditation status & history
Who accredits the institution, current standing, and any past actions.
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Action history · 2
- Feb 2022Approved for Distance EducationMiddle States Commission on Higher Education
- Jun 2019Renewal of AccreditationMiddle States Commission on Higher Education
Tuition & cost
What families actually pay, broken down by family income.
Net price by family income
Negative values mean aid exceeds the published cost of attendance for that income band.
Federal aid volume & trends
Pell grants and federal Direct Loan volume disbursed to students, and how they've trended.
In AY 2024–25, 326 students received $1.9M in Pell grants, alongside $8.0M in federal Direct Loans.
Pell recipients · 5-year trend
Loan volume by type · AY 2024–25
Loan awards count each loan type a student holds, not unique borrowers; one student may carry several (e.g. subsidized and unsubsidized), so the per-type figures are the reliable detail.
Student loan default rate
The share of student borrowers who default on federal loans within three years, against the national benchmark.
Of 354 borrowers who entered repayment, 4 (1.1%) defaulted within three years — below the 2.3% national rate.
Default rate vs national, by cohort
* Cohorts 2020 and later read near 0% because the federal COVID-19 payment pause (CARES Act) suspended defaults nationwide. These years reflect a national policy, not institutional performance; the 2019 cohort is the last measured under normal repayment.
Academic programs at Franklin and Marshall College
Top program areas ranked by completions.
Top program families by completions
Enrollment trends & demographics
Fall headcount, 12-month unduplicated enrollment, and student body composition.
Gender split
Race / ethnicity composition
Athletics & Title IX gender equity
How athletic participation, aid, and spending are split between men and women.
Men vs women · spending splits
Sport-by-sport · 17
Campus safety & crime statistics
Reported on-campus crimes over the last three years, including violence and hate crimes.
3-year trend
Criminal offenses by type
By location
- On campus10
Includes 8 in residence halls (a subset of on-campus, not added to the total).
VAWA offenses
Hate crimes by bias
No hate crimes reported.
Arrests vs disciplinary referrals
Residence-hall fires
- Weis Hall1 fireCookingDamage $0-$99
- Marshall Hall1 fireCookingDamage $0-$99
- Campus Crossings Apts.Building A1 fireOpen flamesDamage $1,000-$9,999
- Thomas Hall1 fireMachinery/IndustrialDamage $0-$99
- 441 W James St1 fireCookingDamage $0-$99
- 602 W James St1 fireCookingDamage $0-$99
Data quality: 2 reports were later determined unfounded across the reporting period and are excluded from the totals above.
Student-faculty ratio
Student-to-faculty ratio and instructional staff counts.
Franklin and Marshall College vs Peer comparison
The peer institutions Franklin and Marshall College selected for federal comparison reporting.
A larger shape on any axis means this institution outperforms its peers on that dimension. For acceptance rate and net price, lower raw values are inverted so "more selective" and "more affordable" appear larger.
| Carnegie | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SubjectFranklin and Marshall College | 84% | — | 1,808 | $36,425 | Baccalaureate |
| 94% | 9.0% | 1,914 | $23,367 | Baccalaureate | |
| 90% | 13.3% | 1,760 | $29,351 | Baccalaureate | |
| 95% | 7.1% | 1,881 | $14,398 | Baccalaureate | |
| 86% | 28.9% | 3,969 | $40,766 | Baccalaureate | |
| 90% | 20.4% | 2,128 | $25,407 | Baccalaureate | |
| 89% | 7.1% | 2,412 | $17,180 | Baccalaureate | |
| 91% | 13.9% | 3,211 | $28,786 | Baccalaureate | |
| 87% | 17.6% | 3,126 | $38,782 | Baccalaureate | |
| 88% | 18.5% | 2,056 | $33,375 | Baccalaureate | |
| 82% | 37.0% | 1,990 | $36,175 | Baccalaureate | |
| 91% | 13.4% | 1,869 | $17,379 | Baccalaureate | |
| 80% | 42.1% | 2,314 | $37,607 | Baccalaureate | |
| 79% | 42.9% | 2,554 | $30,308 | Baccalaureate | |
| 88% | 14.5% | 1,788 | $17,648 | Baccalaureate | |
| 91% | 13.6% | 2,031 | $28,985 | Baccalaureate | |
| 90% | 12.4% | 1,431 | $25,314 | Baccalaureate | |
| 82% | 31.0% | 2,249 | $38,512 | Baccalaureate | |
| 88% | 31.4% | 2,775 | $34,433 | Baccalaureate | |
| 87% | 28.5% | 2,138 | $32,149 | Baccalaureate | |
| 91% | 10.7% | 2,803 | $31,483 | Baccalaureate | |
| 81% | 34.2% | 2,909 | $38,645 | Baccalaureate | |
| 93% | 7.1% | 1,700 | $19,285 | Baccalaureate | |
| 71% | 24.6% | 1,358 | $33,013 | Baccalaureate | |
| 83% | 21.1% | 2,704 | $32,297 | Baccalaureate | |
| 92% | 7.5% | 1,623 | $23,149 | Baccalaureate | |
| 80% | 56.9% | 1,724 | $27,872 | Baccalaureate | |
| 84% | 29.2% | 2,238 | $34,832 | Baccalaureate | |
| 80% | 43.9% | 2,065 | $34,561 | Baccalaureate | |
| 94% | 8.3% | 2,164 | $17,716 | Baccalaureate | |
| Peer group median | 88% | 18.5% | 2,097 | $30,896 |
Institutions like Franklin and Marshall College
Explore the federal data for institutions in Franklin and Marshall College's comparison group.
- BaccalaureateMassachusetts
Amherst College
Grad rate94%Admit rate9.0%Enrollment1,914Net price$23,367View data - BaccalaureateMaine
Bates College
Grad rate90%Admit rate13.3%Enrollment1,760Net price$29,351View data - BaccalaureateMaine
Bowdoin College
Grad rate95%Admit rate7.1%Enrollment1,881Net price$14,398View data - BaccalaureatePennsylvania
Bucknell University
Grad rate86%Admit rate28.9%Enrollment3,969Net price$40,766View data - BaccalaureateMinnesota
Carleton College
Grad rate90%Admit rate20.4%Enrollment2,128Net price$25,407View data - BaccalaureateMaine
Colby College
Grad rate89%Admit rate7.1%Enrollment2,412Net price$17,180View data - BaccalaureateNew York
Colgate University
Grad rate91%Admit rate13.9%Enrollment3,211Net price$28,786View data - BaccalaureateMassachusetts
College of the Holy Cross
Grad rate87%Admit rate17.6%Enrollment3,126Net price$38,782View data - BaccalaureateColorado
Colorado College
Grad rate88%Admit rate18.5%Enrollment2,056Net price$33,375View data - BaccalaureateConnecticut
Connecticut College
Grad rate82%Admit rate37.0%Enrollment1,990Net price$36,175View data - BaccalaureateNorth Carolina
Davidson College
Grad rate91%Admit rate13.4%Enrollment1,869Net price$17,379View data - BaccalaureatePennsylvania
Dickinson College
Grad rate80%Admit rate42.1%Enrollment2,314Net price$37,607View data - BaccalaureateSouth Carolina
Furman University
Grad rate79%Admit rate42.9%Enrollment2,554Net price$30,308View data - BaccalaureateIowa
Grinnell College
Grad rate88%Admit rate14.5%Enrollment1,788Net price$17,648View data - BaccalaureateNew York
Hamilton College
Grad rate91%Admit rate13.6%Enrollment2,031Net price$28,985View data - BaccalaureatePennsylvania
Haverford College
Grad rate90%Admit rate12.4%Enrollment1,431Net price$25,314View data - BaccalaureateOhio
Kenyon College
Grad rate82%Admit rate31.0%Enrollment2,249Net price$38,512View data - BaccalaureatePennsylvania
Lafayette College
Grad rate88%Admit rate31.4%Enrollment2,775Net price$34,433View data - BaccalaureateMinnesota
Macalester College
Grad rate87%Admit rate28.5%Enrollment2,138Net price$32,149View data - BaccalaureateVermont
Middlebury College
Grad rate91%Admit rate10.7%Enrollment2,803Net price$31,483View data - BaccalaureateOhio
Oberlin College
Grad rate81%Admit rate34.2%Enrollment2,909Net price$38,645View data - BaccalaureateCalifornia
Pomona College
Grad rate93%Admit rate7.1%Enrollment1,700Net price$19,285View data - BaccalaureateOregon
Reed College
Grad rate71%Admit rate24.6%Enrollment1,358Net price$33,013View data - BaccalaureateNew York
Skidmore College
Grad rate83%Admit rate21.1%Enrollment2,704Net price$32,297View data - BaccalaureatePennsylvania
Swarthmore College
Grad rate92%Admit rate7.5%Enrollment1,623Net price$23,149View data - BaccalaureateTennessee
The University of the South
Grad rate80%Admit rate56.9%Enrollment1,724Net price$27,872View data - BaccalaureateConnecticut
Trinity College
Grad rate84%Admit rate29.2%Enrollment2,238Net price$34,832View data - BaccalaureateNew York
Union College
Grad rate80%Admit rate43.9%Enrollment2,065Net price$34,561View data - BaccalaureateMassachusetts
Williams College
Grad rate94%Admit rate8.3%Enrollment2,164Net price$17,716View data
Franklin and Marshall College Institutional Research office
The IR team responsible for the institution's federal reporting.
The Office of Institutional Research provides reliable, consistent, and comprehensive data and analyses to support the College’s strategic initiatives and decision-making.
Visit IR office page- Alan S CanigliaVice President for Institutional Research and Chief Strategy Officer
Common Data Set
Franklin and Marshall College's own annual Common Data Set: the most detailed self-reported reference for selectivity, cost, outcomes, and the student body.
Selectivity & Admissions
Admissions funnel
C19,881 applied → 2,785 admitted (28.2%) → 477 enrolled.
Selectivity
C1Selective — 28.2% acceptance rate.
Admit rate by gender
C1Admit rate varies by gender.
SAT range (middle 50%)
C9Middle 50% SAT 1330–1430 (median 1380).
ACT range (middle 50%)
C9Middle 50% ACT 30–33 (median 32).
High-school class rank
C10Share of enrolled first-years by HS class-rank band.
What matters in admission
C7Relative importance of each admission factor.
Affordability & Value
Cost of attendance
GTotal sticker cost of attendance is $79,808 (2024-2025).
Sticker vs. net price
G+HSticker $79,808 → about $25,944 net for aided students after the average need-based grant ($53,864); 100% of demonstrated need is met.
Where grant aid comes from
H10% of need-based grant dollars come from the institution itself.
Graduate debt
H4/H560% of graduates borrowed; those who did owed $32,863 on average.
Outcomes & Equity
Graduation & retention
B6-year graduation rate 84%; first-year retention 90%.
Equity: Pell graduation gap
B4Pell-grant recipients graduate 1 pts above the overall rate (85% vs 84%).
Academic Experience
Class-size distribution
I363% of classes have under 20 students; 1% have 50+.
Faculty profile
IKey faculty indicators.
Degrees by discipline
JSTEM-dominant: ~28% of bachelor's degrees are in computing, engineering, math & sciences.
Student Body & Diversity
Undergraduate race/ethnicity
B2Undergraduate enrollment by race/ethnicity.
International students
B217% of undergraduates are international (nonresident).
Transfer Path
Transfer admissions
D1122 transfer applicants → 32 admitted (26.2%) → 6 enrolled — more selective than first-year admission.
Source publications
Reports & documents (2)
Dashboards, factbooks, data dictionaries, and other reference material published by the IR office.
- DFR reportIPEDS Data Feedback Report 20242024nces.ed.gov
- Strategic planL&AD: Leveraging Excellence, Accelerating Discovery2022Franklin and Marshall College's strategic plan, L&AD, spans from 2022 to 2027 and focuses on leveraging excellence and accelerating discovery to secure the college's standing among top liberal arts institutions. It outlines five key goals centered around curriculum revitalization, student empowerment, resource optimization, community building, and cultivating a culture of philanthropy. The plan also includes a flexible implementation strategy aimed at improving financial viability, educational visibility, and community engagement.fandm.edu
Grants & funding (4)
Federal grant awards and open funding opportunities awarded to this institution.
- awardFaculty Grants and Fellowships Spring 2024institution_site$2,630,627
- opportunitySummer Research Scholars Programinstitution_site$340,800
- opportunityInnovation Fund Inaugural CohortF&M Innovation Fundinstitution_site
- awardNSF CAREER Grant for Willie WilsonNational Science Foundationinstitution_site
Frequently asked questions about Franklin and Marshall College
Quick answers to the questions most often asked about Franklin and Marshall College.
What is the graduation rate at Franklin and Marshall College?
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What is the average net price at Franklin and Marshall College?
What is the yield rate at Franklin and Marshall College?
Where is Franklin and Marshall College located?
Who runs Institutional Research at Franklin and Marshall College?
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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