Franklin and Marshall College

Franklin and Marshall College maintains a consistent profile among national liberal arts institutions, placing 34th in the 2027 U.S. News Best Liberal Arts Colleges ranking. Gaining admission requires a strong academic foundation, as the college admitted 28.2% of applicants in 2025. This acceptance rate is higher than 53% of schools in its comparison group of 30 similarly ranked private liberal arts colleges, reflecting admissions selectivity that tracks close to the peer median. However, the college experiences lower enrollment conversion compared to its competitors. Its yield rate was 17.1% in 2025, which is higher than only 7% of peer institutions. This modest yield suggests that admitted candidates frequently weigh Franklin and Marshall against alternative options. For applicants, this indicates that presenting a targeted, well-aligned application is essential, as the college actively evaluates candidates who are genuine fits for its community.

Franklin and Marshall College has an admission test policy that is optional, with test scores considered if submitted. In 2025, 25% of enrolled undergraduates submitted SAT scores, while a smaller share submitted ACT scores. For applicants evaluating their scores, published score ranges from 2025 show that the middle half of enrolled students achieved between 660 and 730 on SAT Reading and between 650 and 733 on SAT Math. Across peer comparisons for 2025, the college's median SAT score was higher than 17% of peer schools among similarly ranked private liberal arts colleges. These numbers indicate that among applicants who submit test scores, admitted students typically show balanced preparation across both reading and math sections. For families evaluating admission credentials, these metrics outline what test-submitting students present, while the test-optional policy also allows applicants to be evaluated on their broader secondary school records without standardized tests.

Undergraduate studies at Franklin and Marshall College are moderately concentrated, with the top three majors accounting for 37.7% of all bachelor's degrees conferred in 2025. The single largest major was Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other, which graduated 75 students, followed by popular tracks in Business Administration and Management as well as Biology. While no individual majors appear on national ranking lists, key disciplines deliver solid starting salaries. In 2023 earnings data recorded one year after graduation, alumni in Business Administration, Management and Operations achieved a median income of $70,650, closely followed by Economics graduates. International undergraduates constituted a notable share of the graduating class, showing their highest concentration in Economics, where international students represented 39.1% of graduates in 2025. For applicants, this curricular landscape demonstrates that liberal arts education at Franklin and Marshall provides viable commercial and analytical pathways, allowing students to combine broad multidisciplinary study with financially rewarded professional preparation.

The student body at Franklin and Marshall College is entirely undergraduate, totaling 1,808 students in 2025. White students represent the largest racial cohort, making up just under sixty percent of undergraduates. International students form a notable segment of the student population, with 79 first-year students making up 16.6% of the incoming class, while over two hundred international students study in upper classes. Asian students comprise a smaller presence, including 30 first-year students who account for 6.3% of new entrants, in addition to several dozen continuing Asian undergraduates. Hispanic, Black, and multiracial students make up the remainder of the domestic population, with women slightly outnumbering men across cohorts. For prospective applicants, these demographics illustrate a residential campus where international students maintain an established presence, though overall diversity is balanced by a predominantly domestic majority.

The student body at Franklin and Marshall College is composed almost entirely of traditional-age undergraduates. In 2025, students aged 18 to 19 represented 47.2% of all undergraduates, while those aged 20 to 21 accounted for 42.4%. Furthermore, the institution enrolled 0 graduate students. This concentration defines campus life around standard undergraduate routines and organizations, without the presence of older professional or graduate student groups. For prospective applicants, this structure means that campus resources, academic advising, and co-curricular programs are designed specifically for young adults completing their four-year bachelor's degrees.

International enrollment represents a notable dimension of campus life at Franklin and Marshall College. In 2025, international undergraduates totaled 306 students, representing 16.9% of the student body. This share is higher than 90% of institutions in its comparison group of 30 similarly ranked private liberal arts colleges. Because the college operates no graduate school, its international population is composed entirely of undergraduate degree-seekers. Among graduating seniors in 2025, international students accounted for 14.3% of bachelor's degree recipients. In terms of major choices, international graduates concentrated heavily in analytical and business-related subjects. In particular, Economics had the highest international concentration, with international students accounting for 39.1% of graduates in that field, followed by notable shares in Behavioral Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies. For prospective international applicants, these numbers demonstrate that Franklin and Marshall hosts an unusually robust international undergraduate cohort compared to peer liberal arts colleges, with proven engagement in analytical fields.

Families exploring Franklin and Marshall College can consider several reputable institutions situated within a short drive. Located 47.6 kilometers away, Dickinson College is a liberal arts college ranked 54th in the 2027 U.S. News rankings. Also holding the 54th position among liberal arts colleges is Gettysburg College, situated 50.8 kilometers from campus. Students seeking a comprehensive national university setting can evaluate Villanova University, located 51.8 kilometers away and ranked 42nd among national universities. In addition, Swarthmore College, located 52.0 kilometers away, ranks 3rd among national liberal arts colleges. Together, these nearby options provide prospective applicants with an array of choices spanning top-tier liberal arts environments and mid-sized national universities within the broader southeastern Pennsylvania region.

Campus safety records at Franklin and Marshall College show an overall reduction in reported offenses, with student disciplinary actions making up the primary volume. In 2025, the college registered a crime rate per 1,000 students of 23.8, down from higher levels recorded in earlier years. Across the three-year period from 2023 to 2025, substance-related conduct referrals accounted for the vast majority of campus incidents, totaling 242 alcohol disciplinary referrals and 56 drug disciplinary referrals. Serious interpersonal offenses were reported at much lower frequencies during those years, led by 25 reports of sexual harassment, followed by smaller numbers of stalking and domestic violence incidents. These figures show that campus security activity is largely centered on enforcing campus conduct codes regarding alcohol and substances rather than addressing frequent violent crimes. For prospective families, the low crime rate per 1,000 students reflects an environment where safety policies are actively monitored by campus staff.