F&M vs. Mary Washington College

Comparable Facts

Compare Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, PA with University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Mary Washington is larger than F&M based on total student enrollment (3,826 students vs. 1,808 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Franklin and Marshall College is located in Lancaster, PA (Small City setting); University of Mary Washington is in Fredericksburg, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• Franklin and Marshall College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Mary Washington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Franklin and Marshall College 9:1; University of Mary Washington 13:1.

F&M vs. Mary Washington College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, F&M or Mary Washington College? 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 University of Mary Washington than F&M ($21,800 vs. $43,987).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Mary Washington are 12% lower than at Franklin and Marshall College ($14,250 vs. $16,188).
• Franklin and Marshall College is 383.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mary Washington College (about $56,154 more per year; $70,794.00 vs. $14,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 156.9% higher at F&M than at University of Mary Washington (about $43,234 more per year; $70,794.00 vs. $27,560.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Mary Washington than at Franklin and Marshall College (99% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Franklin and Marshall College students is 299.4% larger than aid received by University of Mary Washington students ($41,901 vs. $10,491).

F&M vs. Mary Washington College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, F&M or Mary Washington College? 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 Mary Washington College and F&M.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Franklin and Marshall College (1390) is 120 points higher than at Mary Washington College (1270).
• Incoming F&M students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 29 at Mary Washington College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Franklin and Marshall College 1310/1463; University of Mary Washington 1170/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Franklin and Marshall College 30/33; University of Mary Washington 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: F&M - Test optional; Mary Washington College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: F&M Jan 15, 2027.
• Mary Washington College has a higher acceptance rate (79.8%) than F&M (28.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at F&M vs. 17.7% at Mary Washington College.

F&M vs. Mary Washington College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for F&M and Mary Washington College? 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 University of Mary Washington's (71%).
• Graduates from Franklin and Marshall College earn a median of about $6,400 more per year than Mary Washington College graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $55,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Mary Washington graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than F&M graduates ($21,500 vs. $22,000).
• Among borrowers, Mary Washington College graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than F&M graduates ($222 vs. $227).
• More F&M graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mary Washington College students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 80%)

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.