F&M vs. Brown

Franklin and Marshall College and Brown University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Franklin and Marshall College
Brown University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Brown (5.4% admitted vs 28.2%). Typical SAT 1550 vs 1390.
  • Cheaper after aid: Brown. Average net price is $26,256 vs $43,987 at F&M.
  • Graduation: F&M 85% vs Brown 95%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: F&M $61,900 vs Brown $87,600 (median).
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Key differences

Franklin and Marshall College Brown University
Acceptance rate
Brown more selective
F&M28.2%
Brown5.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Brown higher
F&M1310-1463
Brown1510-1580
Average net price
Brown $17,731 less
F&M$43,987
Brown$26,256
In-state tuition
F&M $618 less
F&M$70,794
Brown$71,412
Out-of-state tuition
F&M $618 less
F&M$70,794
Brown$71,412
Graduation rate
Brown +10 pts
F&M85%
Brown95%
Median earnings (10 years)
Brown +$25,700
F&M$61,900
Brown$87,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • F&M 9,881
  • Brown 48,904
  • Admitted
  • F&M 2,785
  • Brown 2,638
  • Acceptance rate
  • F&M 28.2%
  • Brown 5.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • F&M 17.1%
  • Brown 65.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • F&M 1390
  • Brown 1550
  • Typical ACT score
  • F&M 31
  • Brown 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • F&M -
  • Brown 3.94
  • Typical high school grades
  • F&M -
  • Brown A
  • Admissions standards
  • F&M Very High
  • Brown Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • F&M High
  • Brown Extreme
  • SAT range
  • F&M 1310-1463
  • Brown 1510-1580
  • ACT range
  • F&M 30-33
  • Brown 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • F&M Test optional
  • Brown Required
  • Application deadline
  • F&M Jan 15, 2027
  • Brown Jan 5, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • F&M $70,794
  • Brown $71,412
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • F&M $70,794
  • Brown $71,412
  • Room & board
  • F&M $16,188
  • Brown $17,444
  • Average net price
  • F&M $43,987
  • Brown $26,256
  • Average grant aid
  • F&M $41,901
  • Brown $61,392
  • % receiving grant aid
  • F&M 80%
  • Brown 52%
  • Graduation rate
  • F&M 85%
  • Brown 95%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • F&M $61,900
  • Brown $87,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • F&M 88%
  • Brown 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • F&M $22,000
  • Brown $15,000
  • Median loan payment
  • F&M $227
  • Brown $155
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • F&M 9:1
  • Brown 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • F&M
    • Social Sciences (29%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • General Studies (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Brown
    • Social Sciences (28%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
    • General Studies (6%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Location
  • F&M Lancaster, PA
  • Brown Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • F&M Small City
  • Brown Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • F&M 1,808
  • Brown 11,956
  • Type
  • F&M Private 4 Year
  • Brown Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • F&M #60
  • Brown #11

Comparable Facts

Compare Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, PA with Brown University in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Brown University is larger than F&M based on total student enrollment (11,956 students vs. 1,808 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Franklin and Marshall College is located in Lancaster, PA (Small City setting); Brown University is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • Franklin and Marshall College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Brown University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Franklin and Marshall College 9:1; Brown University 6:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Franklin and Marshall College are 7.2% lower than at Brown University ($16,188 vs. $17,444).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 0.9% higher at Brown than at Franklin and Marshall College (about $618 more per year; $71,412 vs. $70,794).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Franklin and Marshall College than at Brown University (80% vs. 52%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Brown University students is 46.5% larger than aid received by Franklin and Marshall College students ($61,392 vs. $41,901).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Brown than at F&M (34 vs. 31, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at F&M, required at Brown.
  • Typical fall application deadline: F&M Jan 15, 2027; Brown Jan 5, 2027.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at F&M vs. 65.2% at Brown.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Brown University graduates have a $7,000 lower median loan debt than F&M graduates ($15,000 vs. $22,000).
  • Among borrowers, Brown graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than F&M graduates ($155 vs. $227).
  • More Brown graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former F&M students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 88%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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