F&M vs. UVA

Comparable Facts

Compare Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, PA with University of Virginia Main Campus in Charlottesville, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Virginia Main Campus is larger than F&M based on total student enrollment (26,409 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 Virginia Main Campus is in Charlottesville, VA (Small City setting).
• Franklin and Marshall College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Virginia Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Franklin and Marshall College 9:1; University of Virginia Main Campus 15:1.

F&M vs. UVA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, F&M or UVA? 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 Virginia Main Campus than F&M ($18,427 vs. $43,987).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Virginia Main Campus are 8.6% lower than at Franklin and Marshall College ($14,800 vs. $16,188).
• Franklin and Marshall College is 224.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UVA (about $48,991 more per year; $70,794.00 vs. $21,803.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19% higher at F&M than at University of Virginia Main Campus (about $11,282 more per year; $70,794.00 vs. $59,512.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Franklin and Marshall College than at University of Virginia Main Campus (80% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Franklin and Marshall College students is 45.9% larger than aid received by University of Virginia Main Campus students ($41,901 vs. $28,715).

F&M vs. UVA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, F&M or UVA? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UVA and F&M.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Virginia Main Campus (1480) is 90 points higher than at F&M (1390).
• Incoming UVA students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (33 vs. 31 at F&M).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Franklin and Marshall College 1310/1463; University of Virginia Main Campus 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Franklin and Marshall College 30/33; University of Virginia Main Campus 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: F&M - Test optional; UVA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: F&M Jan 15, 2027.
• F&M has a higher acceptance rate (28.2%) than UVA (16.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at F&M vs. 40% at UVA.

F&M vs. UVA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for F&M and UVA? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of Virginia Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than Franklin and Marshall College's (85%).
• Graduates from University of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of about $15,300 more per year than F&M graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $61,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Virginia Main Campus graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than F&M graduates ($19,500 vs. $22,000).
• Among borrowers, UVA graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than F&M graduates ($201 vs. $227).
• More F&M graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UVA students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 86%)

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.