Lancaster, PA · Private University
Is Franklin and Marshall College Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$76,124
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$68,380
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$68,380
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$273,520
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.11x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
6.7 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
86.0%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$19,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$39,061
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Franklin and Marshall College graduates earn $31,124 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Franklin and Marshall College ranked by graduate earnings
41 graduates
82 graduates
54 graduates
21 graduates
38 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Franklin and Marshall College
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Franklin and Marshall College, the gap between the highest-earning major (Business Administration, Management and Operations: $77,821) and the lowest (Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies: $33,476) is $44,345/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and OperationsBest ROI | $77,821 | 1.1x |
| Economics | $75,967 | 1.1x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $60,796 | 0.9x |
| Political Science and Government | $60,579 | 0.9x |
| Sociology | $54,897 | 0.8x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics(1yr data) | $45,300 | 0.7x |
| Public Health(1yr data) | $43,134 | 0.6x |
| Behavioral Sciences(1yr data) | $38,391 | 0.6x |
| Biology, General(1yr data) | $37,950 | 0.6x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research(1yr data) | $36,536 | 0.5x |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing StudiesLowest(1yr data) | $33,476 | 0.5x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin and Marshall College | 1.11x | $76,124 | Average ROI |
| Connecticut College | 1.16x | $75,001 | Average ROI |
| Bryn Mawr College | 1.20x | $75,217 | Average ROI |
| Kenyon College | 1.04x | $71,830 | Average ROI |
| Trinity College | 1.35x | $90,779 | Average ROI |
| Brandeis University | 1.19x | $77,231 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
Franklin and Marshall College delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $76,124 10 years after starting — $31,124 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 6.7 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.