Franklin and Marshall College vs Washington & Jefferson College: which has better ROI?
Washington & Jefferson College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $100,008 in 5.1 years versus 5.2 years at Franklin and Marshall College, on median earnings of $67,918 vs $76,124 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Franklin and Marshall College | Washington & Jefferson College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $36,425 | $25,002 |
| Total net cost | $145,700 | $100,008 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $76,124 | $67,918 |
| Median debt | $19,000 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 5.2 yrs | 5.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $409,580 | $291,152 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Franklin and Marshall College or Washington & Jefferson College?
Washington & Jefferson College, at $25,002 a year after aid versus $36,425 — a gap of $11,423 a year, or $45,692 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Franklin and Marshall College or Washington & Jefferson College graduates earn more?
Franklin and Marshall College graduates report a median $76,124 ten years after entry, $8,206 more than the $67,918 at Washington & Jefferson College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Franklin and Marshall College or Washington & Jefferson College?
Franklin and Marshall College: its completers carry a median $19,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Washington & Jefferson College, a difference of $8,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
84% of students finish at Franklin and Marshall College, against 70% at Washington & Jefferson College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.