The Lasting Value of an F&M Education

The tremendous success of F&M graduates demonstrates the tangible value of an F&M degree when compared to national outcomes.

An Investment in Your Future

At first glance, the cost to attend a prestigious liberal arts college like Franklin & Marshall may seem high when you look at what it costs to attend a well-known public university in Pennsylvania such as Penn State, the University of Pittsburgh, or Temple.

While the sticker — or listed — price of F&M’s tuition, room and board is higher than that of Pennsylvania’s flagship universities, it’s important to note that the vast majority of F&M students receive financial aid that drastically reduces their final tuition bill.

And when you compare the cost of F&M after financial aid is factored into the final bill, students from working-class and middle-class families essentially pay the same price to attend F&M as they would to attend a college like Penn State, Pitt or Temple.

So, why choose F&M?

Our graduates earn, on average, substantially more than graduates of those state universities — to the tune of 20 percent more per year.

As you can see, it’s not just about dollars. It’s about sense.

A Launchpad for Success

Within six months after graduation, 92% of the Class of 2024 were either employed or furthering their education. This is higher than the national average, which is typically in the mid-80% range.

Let’s connect the dots and explore the numbers — as well as how your choice of a major creates pathways to careers you may have never imagined.

Our knowledge rate of our graduates’ success is 92%. This means 92% of the Class of 2024 has informed us where they landed. The industry-standard response rate threshold is 65%.

 

F&M Graduate Earnings Snapshot

The following data is from PayScale. See F&M's full profile.

$73,000

Early Career Salary (0-5 years of experience in chosen field)

$147,200

Mid-Career Salary (10+ years of experience in chosen field)

Anna Synakh '22 in the F&M library conducting research on Russian soft-power politics from the early 2000s to present day.

Graduates Furthering Their Studies

Learn more about the F&M graduates who are furthering their studies or training.   

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Music producer Ed Chung '97

Graduates in the Workforce

Learn more about the F&M graduates who are employed — by industry and by specific corporations and nonprofits.

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Explore. Experience. Succeed.

True to our mission, the Center for Career and Professional Development at F&M engages students across all class years. Our enduring commitment to your success helps you launch careers in leading industries and gain admission to high-demand graduate and professional programs around the world. Explore how, as a first-year finding your path or as a senior on the cusp of graduating, you can benefit from the Career Center’s more than 200 programs and activities designed to launch you to success.

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Spotlighting Our Graduates’ Success

July 29, 2025

Julia Dorf '24 Forges Her Future in Medical Innovation

At F&M, Julia Dorf ’24 immersed herself in hands-on research and ​​formed a strong foundation of the skills she needed for her post-graduate role. “The opportunity to conduct research with professors at F&M was crucial in landing an entry-level position at NYU Langone Health,” she said.

July 24, 2025

Field Research Leads F&M Grad to Hawaiian Wildlife Refuge

Owen Sobel ’24 swapped soccer cleats for hiking boots to pursue a rewarding career in environmental field research and conservation. A former Diplomat midfielder, Sobel is now a U.S. Fish & Wildlife biological technician at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge.

July 17, 2025

From Passion to Ph.D.: He Zhuo ’24 Found A Calling in Chemistry

Forging into the unknown to uncover new inspirations — that’s the Diplomat way. For He Zhuo ’24, this meant exploring different fields before discovering an unexpectedly acute interest in chemistry. Now, he’s pursuing a doctorate in chemistry at Vanderbilt University. “Majoring in chemistry at F&M provided me with a robust foundation in the subject,” Zhuo said.