Academic Comparison between Penn State Behrend and F&M

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College and Franklin and Marshall College are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Penn State Behrend is a four-year, public school located in Erie, PA and F&M is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Lancaster, PA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Penn State Behrend is a public and F&M is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • F&M has more expensive tuition & fees ($70,794) than Penn State Behrend ($26,958).
  • It is harder to admit to F&M than Penn State Behrend.
  • F&M has a higher submitted SAT score (1,220) than Penn State Behrend (1,220).
  • F&M has higher submitted ACT score (27) than Penn State Behrend (27).
  • Penn State Behrend has more students with 3,336 students while F&M has 1,808 students.
  • F&M has a lower number of students per faculty with 9 to 1 while Penn State Behrend's ratio is 12 to 1.
  • Penn State Behrend has more full-time faculties with 256 faculties while F&M has 193 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend Collegevs.Franklin and Marshall College
Erie, PennsylvaniaLocationLancaster, Pennsylvania
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Master's degreeHighest Degree OfferedBachelor's degree
Carnegie ClassificationBaccalaureate College - Arts & Sciences
In-State$15,972
Out-Of-State$26,958
2025 Tuition & Fees$70,794
74%% Receiving Financial Aid71%
$11,249Average Amount of Financial Aid$49,007
96.83 %Acceptance Rates28.19 %
14.52 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)17.13 %
1,220SAT Score1,375
27ACT Score32
44 %Graduation Rate84 %
24 %Transfer-out Rate11 %
83 %Retention Rate90 %
3,336Student Population1,808
256Number of Faculties193
12 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio9 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesStudy Abroad
Academic/career counseling service, Employment servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services