George Washington vs. F&M

Comparable Facts

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

George Washington University is larger than F&M based on total student enrollment (25,374 students vs. 1,808 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

George Washington vs. F&M Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, George Washington or F&M? 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 Franklin and Marshall College than George Washington ($43,987 vs. $46,485).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Franklin and Marshall College are 4.3% lower than at George Washington University ($16,188 vs. $16,920).
• Franklin and Marshall College is 4.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than George Washington (about $3,084 more per year; $70,794.00 vs. $67,710.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.6% higher at F&M than at George Washington University (about $3,084 more per year; $70,794.00 vs. $67,710.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Franklin and Marshall College than at George Washington University (80% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Franklin and Marshall College students is 11.7% larger than aid received by George Washington University students ($41,901 vs. $37,500).

George Washington vs. F&M Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at George Washington University (1430) is 40 points higher than at F&M (1390).
• Incoming George Washington students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at F&M).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Washington University 1350/1500; Franklin and Marshall College 1310/1463.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Washington University 31/34; Franklin and Marshall College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: George Washington - Test optional; F&M - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: George Washington Jan 5, 2027; F&M Jan 15, 2027.
• George Washington has a higher acceptance rate (47.1%) than F&M (28.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.3% at George Washington vs. 17.1% at F&M.

George Washington vs. F&M Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for George Washington and F&M? 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 George Washington University's (81%).
• Graduates from George Washington University earn a median of about $18,600 more per year than F&M graduates about ten years after starting college ($80,500 vs. $61,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Franklin and Marshall College graduates have a $2,962 lower median loan debt than George Washington graduates ($22,000 vs. $24,962).
• Among borrowers, F&M graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than George Washington graduates ($227 vs. $258).
• More F&M graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former George Washington students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 82%)

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.