Founded in 1787, Franklin and Marshall College. is a Private college. Located in Pennsylvania, which is a city setting in Pennsylvania, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 2,255 full time undergraduate students, and 0 full time graduate students.
The Franklin and Marshall College Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 9:1. There are 268 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Franklin and Marshall College include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.
Quick Facts
Acceptance Rate
36%
Application Deadline
15-Nov
Application Fee
60
SAT Range
ACT Range
Admissions at F&M are considered More Selective, with ,18% of all applicants being admitted.
In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 9 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.
0% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 0% were in the top quarter, and 0% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.
STUDENT LIFE Reviews
We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Franklin and Marshall College.
0%
“We”re apathetic”
6%
“We know about current events and vote”
89%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
6%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
6%
“We save it for the classroom”
6%
“Sometimes, but not often”
39%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
50%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
11%
“I only go out in groups”
44%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
44%
“I feel extremely safe”
59%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
35%
“We bought the gear”
6%
“We live for the big game”
11%
“It”s not really our thing”
22%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
56%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
11%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
50%
“They keep regular office hours”
50%
“They”re always available”
6%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
28%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
56%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
11%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
0%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
6%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
47%
“We only party on weekends”
47%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
0%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
59%
“There might be people who do”
29%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
12%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
0%
“We”re apathetic”
6%
“We know about current events and vote”
89%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
6%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
6%
“We save it for the classroom”
6%
“Sometimes, but not often”
39%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
50%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
11%
“I only go out in groups”
44%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
44%
“I feel extremely safe”
59%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
35%
“We bought the gear”
6%
“We live for the big game”
11%
“It”s not really our thing”
22%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
56%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
11%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
50%
“They keep regular office hours”
50%
“They”re always available”
6%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
28%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
56%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
11%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
55 Students rated on-campus housing 3.6 stars. 9 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate off-campus housing?
32 Students rated off-campus housing 3.3 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus food?
56 Students rated campus food 3 stars. 2 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus facilities?
57 Students rated campus facilities 4.3 stars. 40 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate class size?
57 Students rated class size 4.6 stars. 63 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate school activities?
57 Students rated school activities 4 stars. 32 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate local services?
57 Students rated local services 3.4 stars. 26 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate academics?
57 Students rated academics 4.1 stars. 35 % gave the school a 5.0.
Franklin and Marshall College REVIEWS
What's your overall opinion of Franklin and Marshall College?
16 Students rated Franklin and Marshall College
Jake - 12/11/2020
F&M rocks. High-achieving students who work hard but know how to have fun, awesome professors, and a very cool campus vibe. Be prepared to work hard to succeed here - lots of work to stay on top of. Lancaster has gotten pretty chic over the years - nice coffee shops, restaurants, and boutiques. The alumni network and Ware Institute for Civic Engagement are both great. Get involved in student government or other clubs, go cheer on the Dips at games, get a research position with one of your professors, just get involved in the F&M community and take advantage of everything F&M has to offer.
Jillian - 02/23/2020
Franklin and Marshall is a fairly intense college, academically. Most kids are serious students first and are involved in athletics, Greek life, clubs and more second. Yet everyone seems to find activities they enjoy aside from academics and are able to strike a balance between the two.
Collette - 02/16/2020
Dean Colette Shaw has ruined this school. It is no longer fun because of her! She sucks!
Amy - 09/06/2019
I love F&M! It’s academically rigorous, professors are amazing and accessible, sports are well attended & there’s school spirit! I feel so lucky to be here. Students are friendly, warm, smart, together and party on weekends. Can’t say how happy I am I chose this school!
Brittany - 05/16/2019
Overall the school can be welcoming, and there are a lot of solid relationships that can be formed while attending this school. If you choose to go outside of your comfort zone, there are opportunities to converse with people of many different backgrounds despite the school being a PWI (Predominantly white institution). Speaking on that as well, the school, unfortunately, doesn't do enough for its students of color, but I guess that's a work in progress. The academic rigor is extremely difficult, time management and surrounding yourself with supportive individuals becomes key to success. The food also isn't great, go ahead and treat yourself off campus, you'll need it.
Mikaela - 12/31/2018
It is a great school for academics and encourages you to be the best student possible by challenging you to exceed expectations. The professors are respected academics in their fields of study, so you know you are getting the best education. The community atmosphere is like a small town, where everyone looks out for each other.
Siliphone - 12/21/2018
Franklin and Marshall is a private liberal arts school located in Lancaster, PA. Students come all around the world to attend this school. Known for mostly their psychology, pre-med, and business, the school strives to challenge students to their max. The school is also known for their music program and is a huge supporter for the arts. They are also very flexible in catering to the student's needs. Food is also not bad.
Emma - 09/25/2018
F&M is an excellent school and is advertised as such. The large international student population is a unique aspect of the campus that I don't think receives the recognition that it should. While academically challenging, F&M provides numerous resources to help with every subject and to help students grow. It is a quintessential small size liberal arts school and provides the core aspects of a liberal arts education.
The location of Franklin and Marshall provides the perfect location to explore a small city. Lancaster has a deep history and a vibrant and supportive community. F&M takes advantage of the many opportunities that Lancaster provides.
Kayla - 05/18/2018
Very good school (academically speaking). The professors are inspiring, interested in the success of their students (by and large). Cost of tuition is far too expensive though. Lancaster is actually quite a vibrant city and it is a shame the college doesn't do more to get students involved at the city level.
Julia - 04/25/2018
The music program here is incredible! The faculty are amazing in that department. A lot of people have problems with admin here, but in music, the faculty are great. The ensembles are of a good size and the people are lovely.
The astronomy department faculty are very helpful as well. It is a growing program and there are plenty of research opportunities for majors.
Liz - 02/08/2018
I had a wonderful experience at F&M. The professors are outstanding and accessible any time you need them (or just want to chat about their discipline). There is an intellectual culture on campus, and students are genuinely interested in what they're learning - I had many academic conversations outside of the classroom on all subjects imaginable. The small size makes it easy for students to get involved in lots of different activities and take on leadership roles or research opportunities. I received a generous financial aid package when I attended, and I know the school has done a great deal to increase the amount of need-based aid available, which is excellent. Loved my experience there and would definitely recommend.
Kevin - 08/01/2017
Franklin and Marshall College is quiet unique. It has everything you could ask for but it also has things that you wish it would have. It is great in academics and social life for those who know how to balance between the two, however if you chose to lean towards one of the two you will see that it could need an improvement. This improvement however is feasible to do due to the easy access to faculty and staff.
Kathryn - 07/11/2017
Overall, I believe that the academic rigor, extracurricular opportunity, and party life are ideally what I was looking for during my college search. Students definitely prioritize academics over partying or other social activity at F&M, but students still have plenty of time to attend club meetings, field trips and parties. The nightlife on campus is definitely smaller compared to other schools because of our stricter rules regarding drinking and partying on campus ; every party is registered, and many parties get shut down pretty quickly by both F&M and city police. I value this about F&M because I feel much safer at parties on and off campus, and these rules allow students to value schoolwork. However, some areas of Lancaster city can be a bit crime-ridden, so I would recommend visiting during the day and bringing a friend. The campus is beautiful and I am always within a 10 minute walk from any class, which is very convenient. The college house system as supposed to a typical dormitory system is amazing; I have met almost everyone from my college house, and each house is beautiful on the inside. Also, each house is getting renovated, so new elevators and other amenities are going to be added. In conclusion, I love being a Diplomat, and if you enjoy academics, extracurriculars, and small class sizes, this college is definitely for you!
Abigail - 05/30/2017
Franklin & Marshall College is a truly amazing place. Because it's a liberal arts college, students are able and encouraged to explore classes outside their field of study. The social scene at F&M is also ideal. While F&M does have Greek life, it is very far from the stereotypical reputation usually associated with it. Campus is a safe, fun place where students are able to pursue their interests both in and outside the classroom. Faculty are approachable and make plenty of time to meet with students one on one, and class sizes are kept to an average of 20, allowing a student to get the most out of his or her class. Campus is also beautiful, located in Lancaster, PA and is a really nice place to live, whether on or off campus. The charm of the campus location lies in that downtown is only a short walk away, yet campus is still has an intimate small town feel. Incredibly happy to be here, wouldn't choose anywhere else.
Jadeite - 01/27/2017
I'm so happy that I found a school like F&M. At first, I was really apprehensive, but now I'm glad that I have found a friend group that I love in a place that I enjoy being. For anyone that is interested I would really encourage coming to visit our campus!
The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Franklin and Marshall College is 36%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020, _____ students were offered admission.
What should every freshman at your school know before they start?
If I could go back in time and give advice to myself as a high school senior, I would tell her to realize that just because she had taken ap classes and did good in them does not mean that she will do good in the classes in college that cover what was learned in those ap classes without studying really hard. And I would also tell her that procrastination does not work in college at all. Also to tell her to think about what major she really wants to go for because now as a college student I am still deciding what my major is going to be and if I had really thought about what I wanted to major in before I attended my first year, I wouldn't have taken classes that may not be related to what I want to major when I find out what I will major in.
One of the greatest things about F&M is the varied opportunities you are not only afforded, but that are easily accessible. These opportunities come from alumni who are eager to help students with career advice and internships, professors who love to give students as much summer and semester research experience as they can, and from the small size of the student body, which is an asset when the amounf of resources is fit for a student body 2 or 3 times our size.
What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?
My school has moronic fools who only care about changing world ideals rather than worrying about themselves and their lives. they do not accept anytihng cultured and will not reflect on the times of old or of past granduers. they like to discriminate against those who want to have more in life and get ahead and say that it is ok to do bad and be procrastinators. they cannot think for themselves and feel that it is, somehow, their civic duty to get involved with the lives of people they do not know. this , to me, is very wrong.
What kind of person should not attend this school?
If you are not a hard-worker, or at the very least driven, you are wasting your time and money at F&M. Although you may make fantastic friendships and go to great parties here, academically you will be very unhappy if you cannot deal with professors who push you to do your best and raise the bar above your own level of standards. The workload is too rigorous, and the potential experiences (both academic and fun) too amazing to be wasted on a student who will not take advantage of it all.
The earth and biological sciences are very strong and still getting stronger with faculty pursuing their own nationally regarded, in some cases, research.
What's the most frustrating thing about your school?
The most frustrating thing is that there is little socioeconomic difference between students. Many students come from high economic backgrounds and personally I find it harder to relate to them.
What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?
I wish I had known how difficult it was going to be to finance F&M. For a school that champions diversity, they make it awfully difficult for students from low income families to attend without accruing some serious debt.
The school is small. Classes are good and teachers are bright, but the kids are dumb because they were all recruited for sports since our sports teams are bad. The school took up STUPID kids to fill the sports teams. Think about it, about 1,500 kids are on athletic teams at any school you go to...this school happens to only have 600 more kids. This means about 3/4 of the school didn't get in, but was recruited cause they know how to kick a ball. Way to go!
What is the stereotype of students at your school?
F&M is fairly preppy in its stereotype. People usually dress nicely for class and wear brand name clothes. People often say we are very studious, but that is not always true at all. Some people definitely don't take their studies so seriously.
People talk about all the normal political issues... Human rights are a big cause, with several campus organizations raising awareness. F&M also has a substantial LGBT population, though it is not something overwhelmingly evident on campus.
What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?
F&M has a reputation as a very rigorous, difficult school, so everyone thinks the students are very studious and hard working. This is not always true. There is plenty of partying every day of the week, and while some students work very hard, the course load is actually not too tough.
While some students choose to go to parties during the weekend, others non-party animals decide to stay in the campus. What do they usually do? where do they hang out in the campus?
All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA.
Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.
60% of students attending Franklin and Marshall College receive some sort of financial aid.
19% were awarded federal grants.43%received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.
