Franklin & Marshall College announced today a bold commitment that makes college affordable to in-state residents admitted to the College as first-year students. Through the newly launched Commonwealth Commitment, F&M will support even more students through need-based financial aid beginning this admissions cycle. 

F&M’s Commonwealth Commitment makes an exceptional education accessible for Pennsylvania families with the following criteria:

• Tuition-free for households earning $75,000 or less.
• Capped costs—no higher than Penn State’s in-state tuition—for families earning $75,000–$150,000.
• Financial aid package that meets household’s determined need for families earning above $150,000.

“While many of our students end up paying less to attend F&M than they would a public university, they don’t learn this until after admission. Our Commonwealth Commitment makes that value clear from the start, showing families that F&M is an affordable option—and an exceptional investment,” said F&M Vice President for Enrollment Management M. Leslie Davidson.

F&M’s need-based aid supports 65% of all F&M students, including international students. The College’s commitment to affordability allows F&M graduates, on average, to leave with less debt than graduates from Pennsylvania’s largest major public universities, including Penn State University. 

“An F&M education is an investment that gains value throughout a lifetime,” President Andrew Rich said. “The launch of the Commonwealth Commitment ensures that our home state’s best students have the opportunity to become world-ready leaders through a personalized college experience characterized by top-quality curriculum, exceptional mentorship, and real-world experience that prepares students for the future to innovate and address challenges across disciplines and sectors.” 

F&M invests early in students’ professional development. The College awards Summer Experience Funding to support internships and research opportunities. That investment pays off. 92% of F&M's Class of 2024 graduates are employed, interning, or pursuing graduate degrees within one year after graduation and F&M students in their early careers earn $76,124 (median), which is more than $20,000 higher than the 4-year college midpoint. F&M graduates have consistently demonstrated the impact of their time at the College with proven career outcomes and measurable success after graduation. 

How Do Prospective Students Apply for the Commonwealth Commitment?

All Pennsylvania resident applicants who complete the financial aid process and meet the income and assets requirements are eligible if admitted. F&M requirements include the FAFSA, the CSS PROFILE, and federal tax documents, which need to be uploaded to the College Board’s IDOC Portal. All forms and deadlines can be found on our financial aid page.

Apply for Financial Aid »