F&M vs. Penn

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

Franklin and Marshall College
University of Pennsylvania

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Penn (5.4% admitted vs 28.2%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1390.
  • Cheaper after aid: Penn. Average net price is $23,570 vs $43,987 at F&M.
  • Graduation: F&M 85% vs Penn 96%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: F&M $61,900 vs Penn $123,600 (median).
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Key differences

Franklin and Marshall College University of Pennsylvania
Acceptance rate
Penn more selective
F&M28.2%
Penn5.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Penn higher
F&M1310-1463
Penn1510-1570
Average net price
Penn $20,417 less
F&M$43,987
Penn$23,570
In-state tuition
Penn $2,108 less
F&M$70,794
Penn$68,686
Out-of-state tuition
Penn $2,108 less
F&M$70,794
Penn$68,686
Graduation rate
Penn +11 pts
F&M85%
Penn96%
Median earnings (10 years)
Penn +$61,700
F&M$61,900
Penn$123,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • F&M 9,881
  • Penn 65,226
  • Admitted
  • F&M 2,785
  • Penn 3,523
  • Acceptance rate
  • F&M 28.2%
  • Penn 5.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • F&M 17.1%
  • Penn 68%
  • Typical SAT score
  • F&M 1390
  • Penn 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • F&M 31
  • Penn 35
  • Average high school GPA
  • F&M -
  • Penn 3.95
  • Typical high school grades
  • F&M -
  • Penn A
  • Admissions standards
  • F&M Very High
  • Penn Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • F&M High
  • Penn Extreme
  • SAT range
  • F&M 1310-1463
  • Penn 1510-1570
  • ACT range
  • F&M 30-33
  • Penn 34-36
  • Submit test scores
  • F&M Test optional
  • Penn Required
  • Application deadline
  • F&M Jan 15, 2027
  • Penn Jan 5, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • F&M $70,794
  • Penn $68,686
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • F&M $70,794
  • Penn $68,686
  • Room & board
  • F&M $16,188
  • Penn $19,174
  • Average net price
  • F&M $43,987
  • Penn $23,570
  • Average grant aid
  • F&M $41,901
  • Penn $65,458
  • % receiving grant aid
  • F&M 80%
  • Penn 51%
  • Graduation rate
  • F&M 85%
  • Penn 96%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • F&M $61,900
  • Penn $123,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • F&M 88%
  • Penn 84%
  • Median student loan debt
  • F&M $22,000
  • Penn $20,633
  • Median loan payment
  • F&M $227
  • Penn $213
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • F&M 9:1
  • Penn 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • F&M
    • Social Sciences (29%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • General Studies (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Penn
    • Business (26%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Engineering (7%)
    • Health Professions (7%)
  • Location
  • F&M Lancaster, PA
  • Penn Philadelphia, PA
  • Setting
  • F&M Small City
  • Penn Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • F&M 1,808
  • Penn 29,109
  • Type
  • F&M Private 4 Year
  • Penn Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • F&M #60
  • Penn #23

Comparable Facts

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

University of Pennsylvania is larger than F&M based on total student enrollment (29,109 students vs. 1,808 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Franklin and Marshall College is located in Lancaster, PA (Small City setting); University of Pennsylvania is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
  • Franklin and Marshall College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Franklin and Marshall College 9:1; University of Pennsylvania 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Franklin and Marshall College are 15.6% lower than at University of Pennsylvania ($16,188 vs. $19,174).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3.1% higher at F&M than at University of Pennsylvania (about $2,108 more per year; $70,794 vs. $68,686).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Franklin and Marshall College than at University of Pennsylvania (80% vs. 51%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 56.2% larger than aid received by Franklin and Marshall College students ($65,458 vs. $41,901).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Penn than at F&M (35 vs. 31, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at F&M, required at Penn.
  • Typical fall application deadline: F&M Jan 15, 2027; Penn Jan 5, 2027.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at F&M vs. 68% at Penn.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $1,367 lower median loan debt than F&M graduates ($20,633 vs. $22,000).
  • Among borrowers, Penn graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than F&M graduates ($213 vs. $227).
  • More F&M graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn students, three years after graduation (88% vs. 84%).

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

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