Franklin and Marshall College
Franklin and Marshall College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Franklin and Marshall College at a Glance
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.
1787
239 years old
$439M
$439.2 million (2024)
1,867
207
220 acres
Identity
Is Franklin and Marshall College Worth It?
Franklin and Marshall College offers moderate value at $36,425/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $76,124, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.9 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 85% graduation rate means roughly 15% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Admission is competitive with a 28% acceptance rate, so applicants should have strong academic credentials.
How Franklin and Marshall College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #7 of 20 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art | 100 | $13,269 | $83,847 |
| #2 | Trinity University | 63 | $23,464 | $71,668 |
| #3 | Lafayette College | 58 | $34,433 | $91,410 |
| #4 | Trinity College | 54 | $34,832 | $90,779 |
| #5 | Bryn Mawr College | 49 | $31,759 | $75,217 |
| #6 | Mount Holyoke College | 47 | $26,441 | $58,418 |
| #7 | Franklin and Marshall College | 44 | $36,425 | $76,124 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Franklin and Marshall College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in PA.
Best Programs at Franklin and Marshall College
The highest-earning program at Franklin and Marshall College is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $49,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Sociology at $31,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from Franklin and Marshall College earns $49,000, while a Sociology graduate earns $31,200. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates carry $21,298 in median debt vs. $19,000 for Sociology.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $36,425/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $49,000 | $49,000 | $21,298 |
| Economics | $47,800 | $47,800 | $19,000 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $41,900 | $41,900 | $19,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $39,200 | $39,200 | N/A |
| Psychology, General | $38,200 | $38,200 | $19,000 |
| Political Science and Government | $37,200 | $37,200 | $20,952 |
| Sociology | $31,200 | $31,200 | $19,000 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Lancaster, PA
- Student Body
- 1,799 students
- Admission Rate
- 28%
- Graduation Rate
- 85%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $36,425
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $76,124
- Median Student Debt
- $19,000