Analysis
Franklin & Marshall's behavioral sciences graduates earn $38,391 in their first year—landing at the 95th percentile nationally but only the 60th percentile among Pennsylvania programs. That's an unusual split worth understanding: while this beats three-quarters of behavioral sciences programs nationwide, Pennsylvania has several stronger competitors. The $19,000 median debt is manageable at roughly half of first-year earnings, though it's higher than most behavioral sciences programs nationally (87th percentile). Still, it's significantly lower than PA's typical $33,220 for this major.
The bigger caveat here is sample size—fewer than 30 graduates reported data, which makes these numbers potentially unstable. A small cohort at a selective liberal arts college (32% admission rate) could skew in either direction depending on who responded and what career paths they pursued immediately after graduation. The debt burden seems reasonable for a private college education, but the earnings picture is middling for Pennsylvania despite strong national performance.
If your child is genuinely interested in behavioral sciences and values Franklin & Marshall's academic environment, the financial risk appears moderate. However, given the small sample and middling state performance, you'd want to confirm whether this program connects to clear career paths or graduate school preparation that justify choosing F&M over lower-cost Pennsylvania alternatives with similar or better outcomes.
Where Franklin and Marshall College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all behavioral sciences bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Franklin and Marshall College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Behavioral Sciences bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Franklin and Marshall CollegeLancaster | $68,380 | $38,391 | — | $19,000 | 0.49 |
 Wilmington UniversityNew Castle | $12,330 | $38,937 | $43,432 | $27,667 | 0.71 |
 University of Phoenix-CaliforniaOntario | — | $38,087 | $37,783 | $49,770 | 1.31 |
| University of Phoenix-NevadaLas Vegas | — | $38,087 | $37,783 | $49,770 | 1.31 |
| University of Phoenix-ArizonaPhoenix | $9,552 | $38,087 | $37,783 | $49,770 | 1.31 |
| University of Phoenix-TexasDallas | — | $38,087 | $37,783 | $49,770 | 1.31 |
| National Median | — | $35,410 | — | $26,944 | 0.76 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with behavioral sciences graduates
Psychologists, All Other
Neuropsychologists
Clinical Neuropsychologists
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary
Social and Community Service Managers
Life Scientists, All Other
Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other
Social Science Research Assistants
Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Franklin and Marshall College, approximately 17% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 20 graduates with reported earnings and 27 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.