Franklin & Marshall College

Franklin & Marshall College is a private, highly selective liberal arts college located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Often referred to as "F&M," the college is known for its rigorous academic culture and its heavy emphasis on student-led research and intellectual exploration. It operates with a distinctive residential model where students are organized into five College Houses, fostering a close-knit community that blends academic life with residential living. The institution is dedicated to preparing students for success in graduate schools and professional careers by focusing on critical thinking, effective communication, and collaborative problem-solving.

The college represents the merger of two historic Pennsylvania institutions. Franklin College was founded in 1787 with a generous financial gift from Benjamin Franklin, its namesake, and was designed to provide a high-quality education for the region's German-speaking population. Marshall College was founded in 1836 and named in honor of the fourth Chief Justice of the United States, John Marshall. The two institutions officially merged in 1853 to form Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster. This union combined the legacies of two of America's most influential founding figures, creating a foundation of civic-minded scholarship and intellectual curiosity that has guided the institution for over two centuries.

Franklin & Marshall College is a premier liberal arts institution that successfully marries a deep historic legacy with a modern, research-intensive approach to education. By empowering undergraduates to engage in high-level scholarly work and fostering a vibrant, faculty-integrated residential community, the college prepares its graduates to navigate complex global challenges with confidence. Its commitment to academic excellence and inclusive access ensures its continued reputation as a leading institution for producing influential leaders and scholars.