F&M Stories
Top 10 Reasons to Apply to F&M
Faculty mentorship. Small, discussion-based classes. Experiential learning. A diverse and inclusive community.
There are many reasons to love Franklin & Marshall College. We welcome you to find yours! The regular decision application deadline is just around the corner. Apply by Jan. 6 and begin to picture yourself here.

1. A Place to Belong
A vibrant campus life is a major contributor to your academic experience. From recreational sports to countless campus clubs, there’s a space for everyone on campus (and room to create your own path, too!).
2. College Houses: Your Home Away from Home
Inspired by the models at England's Oxford universities (and popularized by the "Harry Potter" series), our College Houses include residence halls and large, open common areas that serve as "third spaces" for faculty and students to meet for events or informal discussions.
3. Learning Beyond the Classroom
Take on research, strengthen your resume with an internship or immerse yourself in a new culture by studying off campus. At F&M, we take your learning far beyond the classroom.
4. Live and Learn in Lancaster City
F&M's home city of Lancaster offers arts and culture for every taste and preference – all within safe walking distance of campus. Some 550 students participate in local research, internships and service projects in both the city and surrounding county each year.
5. The True Blue Network
Our network of alumni is eager to help. “I interned at a local company, thanks to an alum who was working there at the time. That turned into my first full-time job after college,” says Juliana Lawrence ’17.
Turn to the Center for Career and Professional Development for free advising, professional development, networking opportunities and programs.
6. A Dog Park, Arboretum and Nature Trails... Right on Campus
The entire F&M campus has been formally recognized as an arboretum, boasting 1,000 trees from more than 120 different species. Baker Campus and Spalding Conservancy offer field research opportunities just one mile off campus. Dog lovers will love Beau’s Dream Park, located at F&M’s adjacent Buchanan Park.
7. The Food Scene
Lancaster City’s farm-to-table restaurant offerings have earned accolades from Food & Wine and NY Times. But did you know campus offers multiple spots to dine? Favorites include our main dining hall (D-Hall), Diplomatic Cafe, and grab-and-go grill and Asian cuisine. Kosher, international, vegan and organic options are available.
8. A 9:1 Student Faculty Ratio
Want to be more than a face in the crowd? With an average of 18 students per class, our classes are built small so students and professors can engage in dialogue.
9. Go Global: 100+ Programs Around the Globe
We offer 100+ programs around the globe for students looking to study abroad. Off-campus
study experiences aren't simply time away from campus; they're meaningfully woven
into your entire academic journey at F&M.
10. Land on Your Feet… No Matter Where Life Takes You!
Within six months after graduation, 92% of the Class of 2025 were either employed or furthering their education. This is higher than the national average, which is typically in the mid-80% range.
Discover how an F&M degree creates pathways to careers you may have never imagined.
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Immigration Specialist Returns to F&M as Community Fellow
F&M graduate Roger Avila-Vidal '22 draws from his own experience as an immigrant in his role as a Know Your Rights Specialist at Church World Services. He returns to campus as a Reckoning with Lancaster Community Fellow for the 2026-2027 academic year.
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Franklin & Marshall College and American University’s Kogod School of Business Expand Graduate Opportunities
Franklin & Marshall College has established a graduate partnership with American University’s Kogod School of Business in Washington, D.C., offering F&M students and alumni streamlined access to advanced degree programs in business, analytics, and global policy.
September 22, 2026
Franklin & Marshall Earns High Marks in Latest U.S. News Rankings
Franklin & Marshall College has risen in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings of the nation’s best liberal arts colleges, earning high marks in one of the most widely followed annual assessments of higher education.









