F&M vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, PA with West Chester University of Pennsylvania in West Chester, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

West Chester University of Pennsylvania is larger than F&M based on total student enrollment (17,171 students vs. 1,808 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Franklin and Marshall College is located in Lancaster, PA (Small City setting); West Chester University of Pennsylvania is in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Franklin and Marshall College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Franklin and Marshall College 9:1; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1.

F&M vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, F&M or WCU? 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 West Chester University of Pennsylvania than F&M ($22,546 vs. $43,987).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania are 8.4% lower than at Franklin and Marshall College ($14,828 vs. $16,188).
• Franklin and Marshall College is 557% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $60,019 more per year; $70,794.00 vs. $10,775.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 213.3% higher at F&M than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (about $48,195 more per year; $70,794.00 vs. $22,599.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Franklin and Marshall College than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (80% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Franklin and Marshall College students is 633.9% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($41,901 vs. $5,709).

F&M vs. WCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, F&M or WCU? 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 WCU and F&M.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Franklin and Marshall College (1390) is 200 points higher than at WCU (1190).
• Incoming F&M students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 26 at WCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Franklin and Marshall College 1310/1463; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Franklin and Marshall College 30/33; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: F&M - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: F&M Jan 15, 2027.
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (78.4%) than F&M (28.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at F&M vs. 22.4% at WCU.

F&M vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for F&M and WCU? 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 West Chester University of Pennsylvania's (68%).
• Graduates from Franklin and Marshall College earn a median of about $12,900 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Franklin and Marshall College graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($22,000 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, F&M graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($227 vs. $242).
• More F&M graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 75%)

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.