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Dickinson College Gettysburg College SPU Lafayette College Bucknell UW-Seattle Skidmore College Union College Seattle U Whitworth University Lehigh Wesleyan University| Franklin and Marshall College | Pacific Lutheran University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
F&M | PLU | ||
| Location | Lancaster, PA | Tacoma, WA | ||
| Setting | Small City | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 1,990 | 2,633 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #56 | #311 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | Evangelical Lutheran Church | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | fandm.edu | plu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
F&M | PLU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $65,652 | $49,472 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $65,652 | $49,472 | ||
| Room & Board | $15,040 | $11,826 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $31,135 | $24,825 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $49,177 | $36,435 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 63% | 99% |
Admission |
F&M | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 8,923 | 3,334 | ||
| Admitted | 3,233 | 2,964 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 36.2% | 88.9% | ||
| Enrolled % | 15.1% | 17.7% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | - | 3.71 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | - | A- | ||
| Admissions Standards | Exceptional | Very High | ||
| Applicant Competition | High | |||
| ACT Range | 30/33 | 27/30 | ||
| SAT Range | 1310/1440 | 1253/1423 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Jan 15, 2025 | Aug 15, 2025 |
Academics |
F&M | PLU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 9:1 | 11:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
F&M | PLU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 85% | 66% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $61,900 | $52,300 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 88% | 74% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $22,000 | $25,800 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $227 | $266 |
Diversity |
F&M | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 47% | 36% | ||
| % Women | 53% | 64% | ||
| Racial Diversity | High | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 59% | 68% | ||
| % Black | 6% | 3% | ||
| % Hispanic | 8% | 8% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 7% | ||
| % International | 14% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 6% | 1% |
Students |
F&M | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 25% | 74% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 53% | 22% | ||
Campus |
F&M | PLU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Pacific Lutheran University is larger than than F&M based on total student enrollment (2,633 students vs. 1,990 students)
F&M vs. PLU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, F&M or PLU?
- Franklin and Marshall College is 32.7% more expensive to attend than PLU for in-state tuition ($65,652.00 vs. $49,472.00)
- Out of state tuition is 32.7% higher at F&M than Pacific Lutheran University ($65,652.00 vs. $49,472.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Pacific Lutheran University than F&M ($24,825 vs. $31,135)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 27.2% lower than costs at Franklin and Marshall College ($11,826 vs. $15,040)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Pacific Lutheran University than Franklin and Marshall College (99% vs. 63%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Franklin and Marshall College students is 35% larger than aid received Pacific Lutheran University ($49,177 vs. $36,435)
F&M vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, F&M or PLU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between PLU or F&M .
- PLU has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than F&M (36.2%)
F&M vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, F&M or PLU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between PLU and F&M.
- The graduation rate at F&M is higher than Pacific Lutheran University (85% vs. 66%)
- Graduates from Franklin and Marshall College earn on average $9,600 more per year than PLU graduates after ten years. ($61,900 vs. $52,300)
- Franklin and Marshall College students graduate with a $3,800 lower median federal student loan debt than PLU graduates. ($22,000 vs. $25,800)
- F&M graduates are paying $39 less per month on federal student loans than PLU graduates. ($227 vs. $266)
- More F&M graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLU students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 74%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/