Franklin and Marshall College (FandM) vs Bucknell University

Franklin and Marshall College and Bucknell University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Franklin and Marshall, nestled in the heart of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, boasts a lower acceptance rate, fostering a more selective academic environment. Bucknell, situated in the picturesque town of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, offers a broader range of undergraduate programs, including engineering and nursing. While Franklin and Marshall's student body is predominantly White, Bucknell's student population is more diverse, reflecting a wider range of backgrounds and perspectives. Both institutions boast impressive graduation rates, preparing their students for successful careers or further academic pursuits. Explore the detailed comparison table below to delve into the specific differences between these two exceptional institutions and determine which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Bucknell University	Franklin and Marshall College
Overview
Location	Lewisburg, Pennsylvania	Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Campus setting	Town: Distant	City: Small
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate
Students retention rate	91.0%	91.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	34.5%	37.5%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $40 Graduate: $50	$60
SAT range	1295 - 1450	N/A
ACT range	29 - 33	N/A
Students submitting SAT score	35.0%
Students submitting ACT score	17.0%
Total number of applicants	11,263	7,720
Total number of admissions given out	3,886	2,898
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,027	510
Yield rate	26.4%	17.6%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$77,740	$80,618
Average net price	$38,170	$26,316
Tuition	$59,474	$63,216
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $9,192 Meal plan: $5,682	Room/dormitory: $8,722 Meal plan: $6,018
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	59.0% Average amount $37,752	62.0% Average amount $50,026
Students receiving federal student loan	32.0% Average amount $5,232	53.0% Average amount $4,947
Students taking out private loans	7.0% Average amount $23,169	7.0% Average amount $16,505

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	3,724 Men 47.1% Women 52.9%	2,145 Men 44.2% Women 55.8%
Graduate students	33 Men 30.3% Women 69.7%	N/A
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	76.9%	N/A
International students	5.3%	18.2%
Campus local/setting	Town: Distant	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	3,394	2,272
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Pennsylvania New Jersey New York Connecticut Maryland	N/A

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Business Social Sciences Education Foreign Languages and Literatures	Social Sciences Physical Science Ethnic Studies Multidisciplinary Studies Visual & Performing Arts
Students to faculty ratio	9:1	9:1
Institutional accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	88.0%	82.8%
Dropout rate	0.6%	2.0%
Transferred out	11.3%	13.8%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,290 Year 2: $66,147 Year 3: $82,360 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,437 Year 2: $76,460 Year 3: $80,333 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,748 Year 2: $69,002 Year 3: $76,198 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $61,343 Year 2: $49,683 Year 3: $69,149 Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,231 Year 2: $65,610 Year 3: $68,732 Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $51,607 Year 3: $66,842 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $61,041 Year 2: $55,102 Year 3: $63,698 Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $45,358 Year 2: $49,136 Year 3: $60,608 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $49,507 Year 2: $52,941 Year 3: $57,352 International Relations and National Security Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $44,905 Year 2: $55,964 Year 3: $55,173	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $56,518 Year 2: $52,733 Year 3: $67,095 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $45,376 Year 2: $55,964 Year 3: $59,284 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $45,852 Year 3: $53,518 Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $20,220 Year 2: $36,848 Year 3: $50,175 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $32,598 Year 2: $41,441 Year 3: $49,088 Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $46,421 Year 2: $42,682 Year 3: $48,325 Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $24,421 Year 3: $44,196 Sociology (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $33,487 Year 2: $33,459 Year 3: $42,722 Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $36,848 Year 3: N/A English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $25,194 Year 3: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary differences between Franklin & Marshall College and Bucknell University?

Franklin & Marshall (F&M) is a highly selective liberal arts college focused primarily on undergraduate education. Bucknell University, while also offering a strong liberal arts foundation, is a larger institution that includes a College of Engineering and offers master's programs in some fields. F&M emphasizes a personalized, residential college experience, while Bucknell provides a broader range of academic and extracurricular opportunities due to its larger size and graduate programs.
How do the academic programs at Franklin & Marshall and Bucknell compare?

Both institutions offer strong liberal arts programs. However, Bucknell has a dedicated College of Engineering, which F&M lacks. While F&M excels in fields like government, economics, and the humanities, Bucknell offers a wider array of specialized programs, including engineering disciplines, management, and education at the graduate level. Both have strong STEM offerings, but Bucknell's are generally more engineering-focused.
What is the typical class size and student-faculty ratio at each school?

Franklin & Marshall prides itself on small class sizes, typically averaging around 18 students, with a student-faculty ratio of 9:1. Bucknell's class sizes are generally larger, especially in introductory courses, with a student-faculty ratio of 10:1. Both institutions prioritize close interaction between students and faculty, but F&M's smaller size allows for potentially more individualized attention.
How do the campus environments and locations differ?

Franklin & Marshall is located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, a small city with a vibrant arts and culture scene. The campus is relatively compact and easily walkable. Bucknell University is situated in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, a smaller town in a more rural setting. Bucknell's campus is larger and offers more extensive athletic facilities and outdoor recreational opportunities.
What are the differences in student life and extracurricular activities?

Both colleges offer a wide range of extracurricular activities, including clubs, organizations, and sports. Bucknell, being larger, generally has a greater number of options available. F&M's student life is centered around its residential college system, fostering a strong sense of community. Bucknell has a more prominent Greek life presence compared to F&M.
How do the costs of attending Franklin & Marshall and Bucknell compare?

The cost of attendance at both Franklin & Marshall and Bucknell is relatively similar, placing them among the more expensive private institutions. However, both schools offer financial aid packages to eligible students. It's best to compare the net cost (cost after financial aid) based on your individual circumstances by using their respective net price calculators.
What are the athletic programs like at each school?

Both Franklin & Marshall and Bucknell compete in NCAA Division I athletics. Bucknell is a member of the Patriot League, while F&M competes in the Centennial Conference (Division III) for most sports, except for wrestling, which is Division I. Bucknell generally has a higher profile in athletics due to its Division I status across all sports, offering more scholarship opportunities for athletes.
Which school is better for students interested in research opportunities?

Both Franklin & Marshall and Bucknell offer research opportunities for undergraduates. Bucknell's engineering program provides more structured research opportunities in engineering fields. F&M offers strong research opportunities across the liberal arts and sciences, often involving close collaboration with faculty. The 'better' choice depends on your specific research interests.
How do the career services and alumni networks compare?

Both Franklin & Marshall and Bucknell have dedicated career services offices that provide resources for internships, job searching, and career counseling. Both institutions also boast strong and active alumni networks that can provide valuable connections and mentorship opportunities. Bucknell's larger alumni base may offer a broader range of connections in certain fields, while F&M's alumni network is known for its strong sense of loyalty and support for current students.
What are the key similarities between Franklin & Marshall and Bucknell?

Both Franklin & Marshall and Bucknell are highly regarded private institutions that offer a strong liberal arts education. They both emphasize small class sizes, close interaction with faculty, and a commitment to undergraduate education. Both schools also provide a wide range of extracurricular activities and opportunities for students to develop their leadership skills.

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