F&M vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

Compare Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, PA with Penn State Harrisburg in Middletown, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Penn State Harrisburg is larger than F&M based on total student enrollment (4,478 students vs. 1,808 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Franklin and Marshall College is located in Lancaster, PA (Small City setting); Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Franklin and Marshall College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Franklin and Marshall College 9:1; Penn State Harrisburg 15:1.

F&M vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, F&M or Penn State Harrisburg? 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 Penn State Harrisburg than F&M ($23,788 vs. $43,987).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg are 10.6% lower than at Franklin and Marshall College ($14,474 vs. $16,188).
• Franklin and Marshall College is 343.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Harrisburg (about $54,822 more per year; $70,794.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 162.6% higher at F&M than at Penn State Harrisburg (about $43,836 more per year; $70,794.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Franklin and Marshall College than at Penn State Harrisburg (80% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Franklin and Marshall College students is 353.2% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($41,901 vs. $9,245).

F&M vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, F&M or Penn State Harrisburg? 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 Penn State Harrisburg and F&M.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Franklin and Marshall College (1390) is 170 points higher than at Penn State Harrisburg (1220).
• Incoming F&M students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 26 at Penn State Harrisburg).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Franklin and Marshall College 1310/1463; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Franklin and Marshall College 30/33; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: F&M - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: F&M Jan 15, 2027.
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than F&M (28.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at F&M vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

F&M vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for F&M and Penn State Harrisburg? 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 Penn State Harrisburg's (63%).
• Graduates from Franklin and Marshall College earn a median of about $6,600 more per year than Penn State Harrisburg graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Franklin and Marshall College graduates have a $4,818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($22,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, F&M graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($227 vs. $277).
• More F&M graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Harrisburg students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 69%)

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.