Amherst vs. Hofstra

Amherst College and Hofstra University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Amherst College
Hofstra University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Amherst (9% admitted vs 68.1%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1320.
  • Cheaper after aid: Amherst. Average net price is $19,049 vs $35,792 at Hofstra.
  • Graduation: Amherst 96% vs Hofstra 58%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Amherst $82,000 vs Hofstra $59,200 (median).
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Key differences

Amherst College Hofstra University
Acceptance rate
Amherst more selective
Amherst9%
Hofstra68.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Amherst higher
Amherst1490-1580
Hofstra1230-1400
Average net price
Amherst $16,743 less
Amherst$19,049
Hofstra$35,792
In-state tuition
Hofstra $12,820 less
Amherst$70,480
Hofstra$57,660
Out-of-state tuition
Hofstra $12,820 less
Amherst$70,480
Hofstra$57,660
Graduation rate
Amherst +38 pts
Amherst96%
Hofstra58%
Median earnings (10 years)
Amherst +$22,800
Amherst$82,000
Hofstra$59,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Amherst 13,743
  • Hofstra 25,021
  • Admitted
  • Amherst 1,238
  • Hofstra 17,035
  • Acceptance rate
  • Amherst 9%
  • Hofstra 68.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • Hofstra 10.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Amherst 1540
  • Hofstra 1320
  • Typical ACT score
  • Amherst 34
  • Hofstra 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • Amherst 3.91
  • Hofstra 3.74
  • Typical high school grades
  • Amherst A
  • Hofstra A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Amherst Elite
  • Hofstra Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Amherst Extreme
  • Hofstra Low
  • SAT range
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • Hofstra 1230-1400
  • ACT range
  • Amherst 33-35
  • Hofstra 28-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Amherst Test optional
  • Hofstra Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • Hofstra
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Hofstra $57,660
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Hofstra $57,660
  • Room & board
  • Amherst $18,390
  • Hofstra $18,082
  • Average net price
  • Amherst $19,049
  • Hofstra $35,792
  • Average grant aid
  • Amherst $68,591
  • Hofstra $35,061
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Amherst 59%
  • Hofstra 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • Amherst 96%
  • Hofstra 58%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Amherst $82,000
  • Hofstra $59,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • Amherst 83%
  • Hofstra 72%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Amherst $12,975
  • Hofstra $23,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Amherst $134
  • Hofstra $242
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Amherst 6:1
  • Hofstra 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Hofstra
    • Business (30%)
    • Communication (16%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Location
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • Hofstra Hempstead, NY
  • Setting
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • Hofstra Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Amherst 1,914
  • Hofstra 10,685
  • Type
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • Hofstra Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Amherst #13
  • Hofstra #194

Comparable Facts

Compare Amherst College in Amherst, MA with Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Hofstra University is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (10,685 students vs. 1,914 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Hofstra University is in Hempstead, NY (Large Suburban setting).
  • Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hofstra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Hofstra University 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hofstra University are 1.7% lower than at Amherst College ($18,082 vs. $18,390).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 22.2% higher at Amherst than at Hofstra University (about $12,820 more per year; $70,480 vs. $57,660).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hofstra University than at Amherst College (99% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 95.6% larger than aid received by Hofstra University students ($68,591 vs. $35,061).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Amherst than at Hofstra (34 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Amherst and Hofstra.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Amherst average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.17 higher than at Hofstra (3.74).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 10.3% at Hofstra.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $10,525 lower median loan debt than Hofstra graduates ($12,975 vs. $23,500).
  • Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $108 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hofstra graduates ($134 vs. $242).
  • More Amherst graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hofstra students, three years after graduation (83% vs. 72%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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