Canisius vs. F&M

Deciding between Canisius University and Franklin and Marshall College? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Canisius University
Franklin and Marshall College

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Canisius Buffalo, NY
  • F&M Lancaster, PA
  • Setting
  • Canisius Large City
  • F&M Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Canisius 2,451
  • F&M 1,808
  • Type
  • Canisius Private 4 Year
  • F&M Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Canisius #393
  • F&M #60
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Canisius Roman Catholic
  • F&M -
  • Status
  • Canisius Non-profit
  • F&M Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Canisius
  • F&M
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Canisius $34,500
  • F&M $70,794
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Canisius $34,500
  • F&M $70,794
  • Room & Board
  • Canisius $13,560
  • F&M $16,188
  • Average Net Price
  • Canisius $19,666
  • F&M $43,987
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Canisius $24,972
  • F&M $41,901
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Canisius 100%
  • F&M 80%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Canisius 4,175
  • F&M 9,881
  • Admitted
  • Canisius 3,021
  • F&M 2,785
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Canisius 72.4%
  • F&M 28.2%
  • Enrolled
  • Canisius 13.1%
  • F&M 17.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Canisius 1190
  • F&M 1390
  • Typical ACT score
  • Canisius 25
  • F&M 31
  • Average High School GPA
  • Canisius 3.7
  • F&M -
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Canisius A-
  • F&M -
  • Admissions Standards
  • Canisius Challenging
  • F&M Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • Canisius Low
  • F&M High
  • ACT Range
  • Canisius 22/28
  • F&M 30/33
  • SAT Range
  • Canisius 1050/1320
  • F&M 1310/1463
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Canisius Test-free
  • F&M Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Canisius
  • F&M Jan 15, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Canisius 11:1
  • F&M 9:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Canisius
    • Business (25%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Education (9%)
  • F&M
    • Social Sciences (29%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • General Studies (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Canisius 67%
  • F&M 85%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Canisius $49,900
  • F&M $61,900
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Canisius 71%
  • F&M 88%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Canisius $24,750
  • F&M $22,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Canisius $255
  • F&M $227
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Canisius 48%
  • F&M 49%
  • % Women
  • Canisius 52%
  • F&M 51%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Canisius Low
  • F&M High
  • HBCU
  • Canisius No
  • F&M No
  • % White
  • Canisius 73%
  • F&M 59%
  • % Asian
  • Canisius 2%
  • F&M 5%
  • % Black
  • Canisius 8%
  • F&M 6%
  • % Hispanic
  • Canisius 6%
  • F&M 8%
  • % Native American
  • Canisius 0%
  • F&M 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Canisius 0%
  • F&M 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Canisius 1%
  • F&M 2%
  • % International
  • Canisius 4%
  • F&M 14%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Canisius 4%
  • F&M 6%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Canisius 77%
  • F&M 29%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Canisius 15%
  • F&M 55%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Canisius Yes
  • F&M Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Canisius No
  • F&M No
  • Meal Plan
  • Canisius Yes
  • F&M Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Canisius No
  • F&M No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Canisius No
  • F&M No

Comparable Facts

Compare Canisius University in Buffalo, NY with Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Canisius University is larger than F&M based on total student enrollment (2,451 students vs. 1,808 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Canisius University is located in Buffalo, NY (Large City setting); Franklin and Marshall College is in Lancaster, PA (Small City setting).
  • Canisius University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Franklin and Marshall College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Canisius University 11:1; Franklin and Marshall College 9:1.

Canisius vs. F&M Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Canisius or F&M? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Canisius University than F&M ($19,666 vs. $43,987).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Canisius University are 16.2% lower than at Franklin and Marshall College ($13,560 vs. $16,188).
  • Franklin and Marshall College is 105.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Canisius (about $36,294 more per year; $70,794.00 vs. $34,500.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 105.2% higher at F&M than at Canisius University (about $36,294 more per year; $70,794.00 vs. $34,500.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Canisius University than at Franklin and Marshall College (100% vs. 80%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Franklin and Marshall College students is 67.8% larger than aid received by Canisius University students ($41,901 vs. $24,972).

Canisius vs. F&M Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Canisius or F&M? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between F&M and Canisius.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Franklin and Marshall College (1390) is 200 points higher than at Canisius (1190).
  • Incoming F&M students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 25 at Canisius).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Canisius University 1050/1320; Franklin and Marshall College 1310/1463.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Canisius University 22/28; Franklin and Marshall College 30/33.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Canisius - Test-free; F&M - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: F&M Jan 15, 2027.
  • Canisius has a higher acceptance rate (72.4%) than F&M (28.2%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at Canisius vs. 17.1% at F&M.

Canisius vs. F&M Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Canisius and F&M? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • Franklin and Marshall College's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Canisius University's (67%).
  • Graduates from Franklin and Marshall College earn a median of about $12,000 more per year than Canisius graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $49,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Franklin and Marshall College graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than Canisius graduates ($22,000 vs. $24,750).
  • Among borrowers, F&M graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Canisius graduates ($227 vs. $255).
  • More F&M graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Canisius students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 71%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.