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University of Scranton vs Franklin and Marshall College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Scranton PA · vs · Private nonprofit, Lancaster PA

The verdict

University of Scranton has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $130,272 in 5 years versus 5.2 years at Franklin and Marshall College, on median earnings of $74,652 vs $76,124 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of ScrantonFranklin and Marshall College
Net price / yr$32,568$36,425
Total net cost$130,272$145,700
Median earnings, 10 yrs$74,652$76,124
Median debt$27,000$19,000
Payback5 yrs5.2 yrs
20-year net return$395,568$409,580

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, University of Scranton or Franklin and Marshall College?

University of Scranton, at $32,568 a year after aid versus $36,425 — a gap of $3,857 a year, or $15,428 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do University of Scranton or Franklin and Marshall College graduates earn more?

Franklin and Marshall College graduates report a median $76,124 ten years after entry, $1,472 more than the $74,652 at University of Scranton. 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, University of Scranton or Franklin and Marshall College?

Franklin and Marshall College: its completers carry a median $19,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at University of Scranton, 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 80% at University of Scranton. 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.

University of Scranton vs Franklin and Marshall College: frequently asked questions

Is University of Scranton or Franklin and Marshall College a better value?
University of Scranton. It clears its $130,272 net cost in about 5 years versus 5.2 years at Franklin and Marshall College, on median earnings of $74,652 vs $76,124 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Scranton or Franklin and Marshall College?
University of Scranton: $32,568/yr net price after aid versus $36,425/yr at Franklin and Marshall College — a difference of $3,857 a year, or about $15,428 over four years.
Do University of Scranton or Franklin and Marshall College graduates earn more?
Franklin and Marshall College graduates earn a median $76,124 ten years after entry, versus $74,652 at University of Scranton — a $1,472 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.