Wheaton College vs. F&M

Deciding between Wheaton College and Franklin and Marshall College? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Wheaton College
Franklin and Marshall College

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Wheaton College Wheaton, IL
  • F&M Lancaster, PA
  • Setting
  • Wheaton College Large Suburban
  • F&M Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Wheaton College 2,874
  • F&M 1,808
  • Type
  • Wheaton College Private 4 Year
  • F&M Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Wheaton College #146
  • F&M #60
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Wheaton College Undenominational
  • F&M -
  • Status
  • Wheaton College Non-profit
  • F&M Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Wheaton College
  • F&M
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Wheaton College $45,546
  • F&M $70,794
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Wheaton College $45,546
  • F&M $70,794
  • Room & Board
  • Wheaton College $13,010
  • F&M $16,188
  • Average Net Price
  • Wheaton College $31,356
  • F&M $43,987
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Wheaton College $27,987
  • F&M $41,901
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Wheaton College 98%
  • F&M 80%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Wheaton College 2,040
  • F&M 9,881
  • Admitted
  • Wheaton College 1,783
  • F&M 2,785
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Wheaton College 87.4%
  • F&M 28.2%
  • Enrolled
  • Wheaton College 29.9%
  • F&M 17.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Wheaton College 1370
  • F&M 1390
  • Typical ACT score
  • Wheaton College 30
  • F&M 31
  • Average High School GPA
  • Wheaton College 3.75
  • F&M -
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Wheaton College A-
  • F&M -
  • Admissions Standards
  • Wheaton College Very High
  • F&M Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • Wheaton College
  • F&M High
  • ACT Range
  • Wheaton College 28/32
  • F&M 30/33
  • SAT Range
  • Wheaton College 1260/1470
  • F&M 1310/1463
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Wheaton College Test optional
  • F&M Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Wheaton College Aug 1, 2027
  • F&M Jan 15, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Wheaton College 10:1
  • F&M 9:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Wheaton College
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Theology and Religious Vvocations (9%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Business (8%)
  • F&M
    • Social Sciences (29%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • General Studies (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Wheaton College 87%
  • F&M 85%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Wheaton College $54,300
  • F&M $61,900
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Wheaton College 90%
  • F&M 88%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Wheaton College $22,500
  • F&M $22,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Wheaton College $232
  • F&M $227
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Wheaton College 46%
  • F&M 49%
  • % Women
  • Wheaton College 54%
  • F&M 51%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Wheaton College Low
  • F&M High
  • HBCU
  • Wheaton College No
  • F&M No
  • % White
  • Wheaton College 76%
  • F&M 59%
  • % Asian
  • Wheaton College 9%
  • F&M 5%
  • % Black
  • Wheaton College 3%
  • F&M 6%
  • % Hispanic
  • Wheaton College 6%
  • F&M 8%
  • % Native American
  • Wheaton College 0%
  • F&M 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Wheaton College 0%
  • F&M 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Wheaton College 5%
  • F&M 2%
  • % International
  • Wheaton College 3%
  • F&M 14%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Wheaton College 0%
  • F&M 6%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Wheaton College 25%
  • F&M 29%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Wheaton College 68%
  • F&M 55%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Wheaton College Yes
  • F&M Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Wheaton College No
  • F&M No
  • Meal Plan
  • Wheaton College Yes
  • F&M Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Wheaton College No
  • F&M No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Wheaton College No
  • F&M No

Comparable Facts

Compare Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL with Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wheaton College is larger than F&M based on total student enrollment (2,874 students vs. 1,808 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Wheaton College is located in Wheaton, IL (Large Suburban setting); Franklin and Marshall College is in Lancaster, PA (Small City setting).
  • Wheaton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Franklin and Marshall College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Wheaton College 10:1; Franklin and Marshall College 9:1.

Wheaton College vs. F&M Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wheaton College 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 Wheaton College than F&M ($31,356 vs. $43,987).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wheaton College are 19.6% lower than at Franklin and Marshall College ($13,010 vs. $16,188).
  • Franklin and Marshall College is 55.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wheaton College (about $25,248 more per year; $70,794.00 vs. $45,546.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 55.4% higher at F&M than at Wheaton College (about $25,248 more per year; $70,794.00 vs. $45,546.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wheaton College than at Franklin and Marshall College (98% vs. 80%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Franklin and Marshall College students is 49.7% larger than aid received by Wheaton College students ($41,901 vs. $27,987).

Wheaton College vs. F&M Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wheaton College 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 Wheaton College.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Franklin and Marshall College (1390) is 20 points higher than at Wheaton College (1370).
  • Incoming F&M students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at Wheaton College).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College 1260/1470; Franklin and Marshall College 1310/1463.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College 28/32; Franklin and Marshall College 30/33.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wheaton College - Test optional; F&M - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Wheaton College Aug 1, 2027; F&M Jan 15, 2027.
  • Wheaton College has a higher acceptance rate (87.4%) than F&M (28.2%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.9% at Wheaton College vs. 17.1% at F&M.

Wheaton College vs. F&M Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wheaton College 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).

  • Wheaton College's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Franklin and Marshall College's (85%).
  • Graduates from Franklin and Marshall College earn a median of about $7,600 more per year than Wheaton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $54,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Franklin and Marshall College graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than Wheaton College graduates ($22,000 vs. $22,500).
  • Among borrowers, F&M graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wheaton College graduates ($227 vs. $232).
  • More Wheaton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former F&M students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 88%)

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.