Franklin and Marshall College: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Lancaster, Pennsylvania · Private nonprofit · Selective · CDS 2024-2025

Acceptance rate
28%
9,881 applicants
Median SAT
1380
Mid 50: 1330–1430
In-state tuition
$70,794
per year, before aid
Net price (avg)
$36,425
after aid, what families pay
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Quick answer

Franklin and Marshall College is a private nonprofit university in Lancaster, Pennsylvania that admits about 28% of applicants, making it a selective school. The average family pays about $36,425 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other, Business Administration, Management and Operations and Political Science and Government, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 84% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 5.6 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.

Franklin and Marshall College is a private institution located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with a selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, Franklin and Marshall College admits between a quarter and half of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 28%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT around 1380. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $36,425 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for Franklin and Marshall College?

Admitted students at Franklin and Marshall College typically present unweighted GPAs in the 3.6–3.9 range with several honors or AP courses.

Actual GPA distribution of admitted students
From the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Franklin and Marshall College.

What does Franklin and Marshall College weight in admissions?

Franklin and Marshall College reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean

Very Important4 factors
  • Rigor of secondary school record
  • Class rank
  • Academic GPA
  • Character/personal qualities
Important7 factors
  • Standardized test scores
  • Application essay
  • Recommendations
  • Interview
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Talent/ability
  • Volunteer work

SAT and ACT scores Franklin and Marshall College typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 650–733, with an EBRW midpoint near —. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 30–33. A score at or above this school's 75th percentile materially improves your child's odds, particularly when paired with a rigorous course load.

SAT Composite
25th percentile1330
50th percentile1380
75th percentile1430
% submitting SAT25%
ACT Composite
25th percentile30
50th percentile32
75th percentile33
% submitting ACT9%
Current testing policy
  • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
  • • Policy detail: Considered if submitted

Where admitted students ranked in their high school class

Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.

Top 10% of class50%
Top 25% of class%
Top 50% of class97%
% submitting class rank23%

How much does Franklin and Marshall College actually cost?

Published tuition is $70,794 for in-state students and $70,794 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $16,188 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $36,425 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 16% of students receive Pell Grants.

In-state tuition$70,566
Room and board
Average net price (after aid)$36,425
Application fee$62 (waivers available)

Application deadlines and early decision data for Franklin and Marshall College

Regular admission
Regular deadlineJanuary 6
Notification dateApril 1
Reply deadlineMay 1
Early admission
Offers Early DecisionYes
ED deadlineNovember 15
Offers Early Decision IIYes
ED II deadlineJanuary 6
ED acceptance rate (all rounds)28%

Will my child graduate from Franklin and Marshall College?

These predict outcomes at Franklin and Marshall College better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates

Freshman retention
90.2%
returned for sophomore year
4-year graduation
null%
finished on time
6-year graduation
84%
finished within 6 years

Most popular majors at Franklin and Marshall College

The most popular undergraduate programs at Franklin and Marshall College, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other, Business Administration, Management and Operations and Political Science and Government. Across all programs, Franklin and Marshall College confers roughly 385 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other program report a median income of about $78,260 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

MajorGraduates / yearMedian earnings (5 yrs out)
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other82$78,260
Business Administration, Management and Operations60$88,150
Political Science and Government55$71,360
Economics46$75,967
Behavioral Sciences41
Public Health38
Biology, General34
Mathematics29
Bachelor's-degree completions from federal IPEDS data; earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Is Franklin and Marshall College safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Franklin and Marshall College disclosed 10 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 5.6 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 0 violent offenses and 8 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

Total offenses
10
5.6 per 1,000 students
Violent crime
0
0.00 per 1,000
Sexual assault / VAWA
8
4.45 per 1,000
Burglary
1
reported incidents
Clery Act 2024, rates per 1,799 enrolled.

What is campus life like at Franklin and Marshall College?

About 97% of undergraduates at Franklin and Marshall College live in campus housing, making it a largely residential campus. In Greek life, 3% of men join a fraternity and 19% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.

Live on campus
97%
of undergraduates
In fraternities
3%
of men
In sororities
19%
of women
From the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Franklin and Marshall College.

Other colleges in Pennsylvania parents ask about

Next steps for Franklin and Marshall College

Common questions parents ask about Franklin and Marshall College

What GPA do I need for Franklin and Marshall College?

Admitted students at Franklin and Marshall College typically present unweighted GPAs in the 3.6–3.9 range with several honors or AP courses.

What SAT or ACT score does Franklin and Marshall College typically admit?

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 650–733, with an EBRW midpoint near —. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 30–33.

How much does Franklin and Marshall College actually cost after financial aid?

The average net price at Franklin and Marshall College after grants and scholarships is $36,425 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $70,794. Budget against the net figure.

Is Franklin and Marshall College realistic for my child?

Franklin and Marshall College admits 28% of applicants, so 650–733 SAT Math is target range and below 650 is a reach. Then check the $36,425 average net price against what your family can carry.

What is the acceptance rate at Franklin and Marshall College?

Franklin and Marshall College accepts about 28% of applicants out of roughly 9,881 who apply each year. That makes it a selective school.

Is Franklin and Marshall College test-optional?

Yes. Franklin and Marshall College is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.

What is the graduation rate at Franklin and Marshall College?

About 84% of students at Franklin and Marshall College graduate within six years. 90% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.

Does applying Early Decision improve my chances at Franklin and Marshall College?

Franklin and Marshall College's Early Decision acceptance rate is about 28%, compared with its overall rate of 28%. The ED rate is not materially higher here, so weigh the binding commitment carefully.

What does Franklin and Marshall College look for in applicants?

Franklin and Marshall College rates course rigor, class rank, GPA and character and personal qualities as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.

Is Franklin and Marshall College a public or private school, and where is it located?

Franklin and Marshall College is a private nonprofit institution located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

What are the most popular majors at Franklin and Marshall College?

The largest undergraduate majors at Franklin and Marshall College by annual graduates are Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other, Business Administration, Management and Operations and Political Science and Government. The school awards about 385 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.

Is Franklin and Marshall College safe? What is its campus crime rate?

Franklin and Marshall College reported 10 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 5.6 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.

What is campus life like at Franklin and Marshall College?

At Franklin and Marshall College, 97% of undergraduates live on campus, 3% of men are in fraternities, 19% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.

Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Franklin and Marshall College, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers