Franklin and Marshall College Launches Commonwealth Commitment to Make Tuition More Affordable for Pennsylvania Familie

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Statues of Chief Justice John Marshall, right, and Benjamin Franklin on the campus of Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, photographed in June 2021.

AIRED; November 24, 2025

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Franklin and Marshall College has launched a new initiative aimed at making the Lancaster-based institution more affordable for Pennsylvania families. The program, called the Commonwealth Commitment, ensures that students from families earning $75,000 or less will pay no tuition if admitted. Families with incomes between $75,000 and $150,000 will pay no more than Penn State’s in-state tuition.

“So the Commonwealth Commitment is our assurance to Pennsylvanians that Franklin and Marshall College is a place that is for you,” said F&M President Andy Rich. “If you’re a Pennsylvania family where the family income is less than $75,000, you’re going to come to F&M with no cost. And if you’re in the middle income category, you’ll pay no more than Penn State, and you’ll know it upfront.”

Rich, who began his tenure as president this summer, said the program is a response to questions families often have about college affordability. “We wanted to make it crystal clear for Pennsylvanians… you don’t have to wait until after you’re admitted to see what kind of financial aid package you’re offered,” he explained. “We want you to know up front that at F&M this is what you can expect.”

The initiative also highlights the potential long-term benefits for students. Rich noted that graduates from Pennsylvania families paying under the Commonwealth Commitment can expect high career success. “If you pay no more than what you pay at Penn State, you’re also going to make, five years out, higher average salaries than graduates of Penn State, Temple, and Pitt,” he said. “Ninety-two percent of students leave here within six months with a job or a path into graduate school, so it’s a strong value proposition for families.”