Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
31.8% Acceptance Rate
Franklin and Marshall College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
31.8%Acceptance Rate
1394Avg SAT
31Avg ACT
$83,184Annual Cost
$76,124Grad Salary
16.7%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
31.8%
Avg SAT
1394
Avg ACT
31
Selectivity
Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1298–1460
ACT Middle 50%
29–32
Need-Based Aid
16.7% receive Pell
Franklin and Marshall College, founded in 1787 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is one of America's oldest liberal arts institutions. The college's 170-acre campus blends historic buildings like Old Main with state-of-the-art facilities including the Susan and Benjamin Winter Visual Arts Center. F&M is renowned for its strong science programs, particularly in neuroscience and environmental science, supported by a 12:1 student-faculty ratio that enables 70% of students to engage in faculty-mentored research. The college's distinctive House System creates small residential communities that foster intellectual and social growth. With a global focus evident in its 60+ study abroad programs and diverse student body representing 45+ countries, F&M prepares graduates for leadership in an interconnected world. Recent initiatives include the $75 million Next Generation Initiative to expand access and innovation.
Franklin and Marshall College Acceptance Rate
Franklin and Marshall College is selective but reasonable. About 31.8% of applicants (32 per 100) are admitted each cycle.
What ETS Admissions Looks For
- Test Scores Help: Where submitted, scores near or above the middle 50% strengthen an application.
- Solid, Not Perfect: A GPA trending upward matters more than one that's flat.
Selectivity at a Glance
Selective
Selectivity scale: Selective — 31.8% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Slightly below-average GPA? A strong test score or clear leadership track record can still keep you competitive.
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Franklin and Marshall College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for Franklin and Marshall College is November 15 for Early Decision I applicants, with additional plans listed below. Admission decisions are typically released by December 15.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 99 days left — Early Decision I
Early Decision I
November 15
Decision by: December 15
Early Decision II
January 15
Decision by: February 15
Regular Decision
January 15
Decision by: April 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (Financial Aid Priority: 2025/11/15) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Check Your Admission Chances at ETS
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Franklin and Marshall College's verified institutional data
--%
Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Franklin and Marshall College (ETS) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if ETS is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into ETS Without SAT or ACT?
ETS considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Franklin and Marshall College Average SAT Score: 1394
The average SAT score of admitted students at Franklin and Marshall College is 1394 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1394 — Competitive
This average is solidly above the national mean, without being in elite-tier territory.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1460 SAT or 32 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Franklin and Marshall College allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1298, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at ETS. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 685 | 640 | 730 |
| SAT Reading | 694 | 658 | 730 |
| SAT Composite | 1394 | 1298 | 1460 |
Below 1298, you're behind most admitted students; at 1460 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1400
Can I get into Franklin and Marshall College (ETS) with a 1450 SAT?
A 1450 SAT puts you ahead of most of ETS's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Franklin and Marshall College (ETS) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at ETS is 31.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 31 — Very Competitive
An average of 31 is well above the national ACT mean.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 29 | 27 | 31 |
| ACT English | 32 | 29 | 35 |
| ACT Composite | 31 | 29 | 32 |
Can I get into Franklin and Marshall College with a 32 ACT?
A 32 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of ETS's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at ETS.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for ETS
Selective Strategy: Competitive Positioning
At ETS, admissions looks for reliable, high-achieving students. The goal is to land as a top-tier applicant. That's what triggers both admission and the best merit aid.
Confirm Current Supplemental Essay Status Directly With F&M Before Assuming a Prompt Exists
Sources on F&M's supplemental essay requirements genuinely conflict - some indicate no separate F&M-specific supplement currently exists beyond the Common App personal statement, while older application cycles featured a distinct "why F&M" question. Verify directly on F&M's admissions portal what's required for your specific cycle rather than assuming either way, since acting on outdated prompt information wastes real effort.
Treat Your Common App Personal Statement as Carrying Significant Weight Regardless of Supplement Status
Whether or not a separate F&M supplement applies to your cycle, F&M's own guidance emphasizes wanting to see past test scores and grades to understand who you are as a contributing community member. Make sure your personal statement does real work showing values, growth, and character, since it may be functioning as your primary or sole essay-based differentiator here.
Understand the Self-Reported Score Verification Policy Before Self-Reporting
F&M allows self-reported SAT/ACT scores on the Common or Coalition Application, but students who self-report and later enroll at F&M must submit verified official test scores at the time of enrollment. Ensure any self-reported scores are entered accurately, since discrepancies discovered at enrollment could create real complications.
Highlight Genuine Interest in ROTC If Relevant - F&M Hosts a Branch Unit On Campus
F&M hosts an ROTC branch unit directly on campus, providing a direct pathway to Reserve Officers' Training Corps participation without needing to attend another institution. If you have any interest in military leadership training alongside a liberal arts education, naming this specifically signals genuine engagement with one of F&M's more distinctive, lesser-known offerings.
Expert Insight: Do not assume F&M's process mirrors a fully optional-essay school like Bowdoin or a fully no-essay school like Northeastern - given genuinely conflicting third-party information about current supplemental requirements, confirm directly via F&M's admissions office or applicant portal exactly what's required for your specific application cycle before finalizing your essay plan.
ETS Profile
Full Name
Franklin and Marshall College (ETS)
City
Lancaster
State
Pennsylvania
ZIP Code
17604-3003
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a ETS Degree Worth It?
ETS offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes. The figures below are a starting point.
The average household income among admitted students is $85,300, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.82%.
How much does a degree from ETS Cost?
The sticker price is $83,184/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
16.7% of students receive a Pell Grant and 44.2% take federal loans at ETS. File your FAFSA early and list ETS as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a ETS Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $76,124. That's about 88% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Franklin and Marshall College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chapman University | Orange, CA | 1353 | 30 |
| Pepperdine University | Malibu, CA | 1367 | 29 |
| Westmont College | Santa Barbara, CA | 1367 | 32 |
| University of Colorado Boulder | Boulder, CO | 1353 | 31 |
| University of Denver | Denver, CO | 1344 | 31 |
| United States Air Force Academy | USAF Academy, CO | 1362 | 30 |
| Wheaton College | Wheaton, IL | 1363 | 30 |
| Centre College | Danville, KY | 1345 | 29 |
| St. John's College | Annapolis, MD | 1381 | 31 |
| Emerson College | Boston, MA | 1359 | 32 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Franklin and Marshall College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado School of Mines | Golden, CO | 1403 | 31 |
| Trinity College | Hartford, CT | 1396 | 32 |
| American University | Washington, DC | 1392 | 31 |
| University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | 1397 | 31 |
| Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology | Terre Haute, IN | 1389 | 32 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Franklin and Marshall College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeastern University Oakland | Oakland, CA | 1472 | 32 |
| Occidental College | Los Angeles, CA | 1461 | 33 |
| Colorado College | Colorado Springs, CO | 1445 | 33 |
| George Washington University | Washington, DC | 1433 | 33 |
| Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus | Atlanta, GA | 1447 | 31 |
Degree Programs at ETS
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About ETS Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Franklin and Marshall College run about $76,124 a year.
At about $83,184 a year, Franklin and Marshall College's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
Franklin and Marshall College's Pell Grant rate of 16.7% sits below the national average. Merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
At 31.8%, Franklin and Marshall College's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
A strong SAT score matters at Franklin and Marshall College — aim above 1394, ideally within the 1298–1460 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Franklin and Marshall College is November 15 for Early Decision I applicants. Admission decisions are released by December 15.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is Financial Aid Priority: 2025/11/15. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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