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Franklin and Marshall College vs University of Pennsylvania

Franklin and Marshall College is a private college in Lancaster, PA. University of Pennsylvania is a private university in Philadelphia, PA. University of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants and Franklin and Marshall College about 28%, making University of Pennsylvania the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $28,699 a year at University of Pennsylvania after aid, and about $36,425 at Franklin and Marshall College. About 97% of students graduate at University of Pennsylvania, compared with 85% at Franklin and Marshall College. Ten years after enrolling, University of Pennsylvania alumni earn a median of about $111,371, against $76,124 for Franklin and Marshall College.

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Franklin and Marshall College

Lancaster, PA · Private

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Lancaster, PA
Philadelphia, PA
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
1,799
10,650
Acceptance rate
28%
5%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.46–4
3.55–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1310–1463
1510–1570
ACT (middle 50%)
30–33
34–36
Test policy
Test optional
Required
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$36,425
$28,699
Full cost / yr
$85,776
$89,028
In-state tuition
$70,794
$68,686
Out-of-state tuition
$70,794
$68,686
Application fee
$60
$75
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$12,321
$0*
$30k - $48k
$16,942
$316
$48k - $75k
$16,245
$10,439
$75k - $110k
$25,104
$25,476
Over $110k
$49,996
$55,972
Outcomes
Graduation rate
85%
97%
Freshman retention
90%
99%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$62,544
$90,555
Median earnings (10 yr)
$76,124
$111,371
Median debt at graduation
$19,000
$15,715
Student body
Pell grant recipients
16%
17%
First-generation students
19%
19%
International students
17%
13%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 15
Nov 1
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Jan 15
Jan 5

* Reported aid for this income range averaged above the billed cost.

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.

Frequently asked questions
Is Franklin and Marshall College or University of Pennsylvania harder to get into?
University of Pennsylvania is harder to get into. It admits about 5% of applicants, compared with 28% 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.
Which is cheaper, Franklin and Marshall College or University of Pennsylvania?
University of Pennsylvania is cheaper on average. Students pay about $28,699 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 University of Pennsylvania?
Before aid, Franklin and Marshall College costs about $85,776 a year and University of Pennsylvania about $89,028. 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 University of Pennsylvania?
University of Pennsylvania. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $-3,012 there, against about $12,321 at Franklin and Marshall College. 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 University of Pennsylvania?
University of Pennsylvania is the larger of the two, with about 10,650 undergraduates against 1,799 at Franklin and Marshall College.
Does Franklin and Marshall College or University of Pennsylvania have a better graduation rate?
University of Pennsylvania has the higher graduation rate, at about 97% against 85% at Franklin and Marshall College.
Do graduates of Franklin and Marshall College or University of Pennsylvania earn more?
University of Pennsylvania alumni earn more on average: a median of about $111,371 ten years after enrolling, against about $76,124 for Franklin and Marshall College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Franklin and Marshall College and University of Pennsylvania require SAT or ACT scores?
Franklin and Marshall College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. University of Pennsylvania requires SAT or ACT scores.
What SAT scores do Franklin and Marshall College and University of Pennsylvania look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1310–1463 at Franklin and Marshall College and 1510–1570 at University of Pennsylvania. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

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1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school