Franklin and Marshall College vs Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg
Franklin and Marshall College is a private college in Lancaster, PA, and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg is a public university in Middletown, PA. Franklin and Marshall College is the more selective of the two, admitting about 28% of applicants against 98% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg. Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $23,330 a year against $36,425 at Franklin and Marshall College. About 85% of students graduate at Franklin and Marshall College, compared with 28% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg. Ten years after enrolling, Franklin and Marshall College alumni earn a median of about $76,124, against $63,435 for Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg.
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
Lancaster, PA
Middletown, PA
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
1,799
4,031
Acceptance rate
28%
98%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.46–4
3.23–3.73
SAT (middle 50%)
1310–1463
1120–1310
ACT (middle 50%)
30–33
22–31
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$36,425
$23,330
Full cost / yr
$85,776
$32,521
In-state tuition
$70,794
$15,972
Out-of-state tuition
$70,794
$26,958
Application fee
$60
$65
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$12,321
$16,219
$30k - $48k
$16,942
$16,221
$48k - $75k
$16,245
$21,176
$75k - $110k
$25,104
$25,103
Over $110k
$49,996
$29,834
Outcomes
Graduation rate
85%
28%
Freshman retention
90%
82%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$62,544
$55,620
Median earnings (10 yr)
$76,124
$63,435
Median debt at graduation
$19,000
$25,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
16%
26%
First-generation students
19%
29%
International students
17%
14%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 15
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Nov 1
Regular decision
Jan 15
Rolling
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is Franklin and Marshall College or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg harder to get into?
- Franklin and Marshall College is harder to get into. It admits about 28% of applicants, compared with 98% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Franklin and Marshall College or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg?
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg is cheaper on average. Students pay about $23,330 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $36,425 at Franklin and Marshall College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at Franklin and Marshall College and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg?
- Before aid, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg costs about $32,521 a year and Franklin and Marshall College about $85,776. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Franklin and Marshall College or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg?
- Franklin and Marshall College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $12,321 there, against about $16,219 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Franklin and Marshall College or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg?
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg is the larger of the two, with about 4,031 undergraduates against 1,799 at Franklin and Marshall College.
- Does Franklin and Marshall College or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg have a better graduation rate?
- Franklin and Marshall College has the higher graduation rate, at about 85% against 28% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg.
- Do graduates of Franklin and Marshall College or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg earn more?
- Franklin and Marshall College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $76,124 ten years after enrolling, against about $63,435 for Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Franklin and Marshall College and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg require SAT or ACT scores?
- Franklin and Marshall College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Franklin and Marshall College and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1310–1463 at Franklin and Marshall College and 1120–1310 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
Franklin and Marshall College vs Swarthmore CollegeFranklin and Marshall College vs Haverford CollegeFranklin and Marshall College vs Bucknell UniversityPennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg vs Swarthmore CollegePennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg vs Haverford CollegePennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg vs Bucknell University
Which of these is the better fit for you?
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