Clarkson vs. Hofstra

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

Clarkson University
Hofstra University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Hofstra (68.1% admitted vs 77.4%). Typical SAT 1320 vs 1300.
  • Cheaper after aid: Clarkson. Average net price is $32,406 vs $35,792 at Hofstra.
  • Graduation: Clarkson 72% vs Hofstra 58%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Clarkson $70,800 vs Hofstra $59,200 (median).
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Key differences

Clarkson University Hofstra University
Acceptance rate
Hofstra more selective
Clarkson77.4%
Hofstra68.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Hofstra higher
Clarkson1200-1390
Hofstra1230-1400
Average net price
Clarkson $3,386 less
Clarkson$32,406
Hofstra$35,792
In-state tuition
Hofstra $1,738 less
Clarkson$59,398
Hofstra$57,660
Out-of-state tuition
Hofstra $1,738 less
Clarkson$59,398
Hofstra$57,660
Graduation rate
Clarkson +14 pts
Clarkson72%
Hofstra58%
Median earnings (10 years)
Clarkson +$11,600
Clarkson$70,800
Hofstra$59,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Clarkson 6,661
  • Hofstra 25,021
  • Admitted
  • Clarkson 5,153
  • Hofstra 17,035
  • Acceptance rate
  • Clarkson 77.4%
  • Hofstra 68.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Clarkson 9.5%
  • Hofstra 10.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Clarkson 1300
  • Hofstra 1320
  • Typical ACT score
  • Clarkson 28
  • Hofstra 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • Clarkson 3.8
  • Hofstra 3.74
  • Typical high school grades
  • Clarkson A-
  • Hofstra A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Clarkson Very High
  • Hofstra Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Clarkson
  • Hofstra Low
  • SAT range
  • Clarkson 1200-1390
  • Hofstra 1230-1400
  • ACT range
  • Clarkson 25-32
  • Hofstra 28-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Clarkson Test optional
  • Hofstra Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Clarkson Jan 15, 2027
  • Hofstra
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Hofstra $57,660
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Hofstra $57,660
  • Room & board
  • Clarkson $18,252
  • Hofstra $18,082
  • Average net price
  • Clarkson $32,406
  • Hofstra $35,792
  • Average grant aid
  • Clarkson $46,528
  • Hofstra $35,061
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Clarkson 100%
  • Hofstra 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • Clarkson 72%
  • Hofstra 58%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Clarkson $70,800
  • Hofstra $59,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • Clarkson 86%
  • Hofstra 72%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Clarkson $27,000
  • Hofstra $23,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Clarkson $279
  • Hofstra $242
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Clarkson 13:1
  • Hofstra 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • Clarkson
    • Engineering (48%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (9%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • Hofstra
    • Business (30%)
    • Communication (16%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Location
  • Clarkson Potsdam, NY
  • Hofstra Hempstead, NY
  • Setting
  • Clarkson Remote Town
  • Hofstra Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Clarkson 3,348
  • Hofstra 10,685
  • Type
  • Clarkson Private 4 Year
  • Hofstra Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Clarkson #189
  • Hofstra #194

Comparable Facts

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

Hofstra University is larger than Clarkson based on total student enrollment (10,685 students vs. 3,348 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hofstra University are 0.9% lower than at Clarkson University ($18,082 vs. $18,252).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3% higher at Clarkson than at Hofstra University (about $1,738 more per year; $59,398 vs. $57,660).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at Hofstra University (100% vs. 99%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clarkson University students is 32.7% larger than aid received by Hofstra University students ($46,528 vs. $35,061).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Hofstra than at Clarkson (30 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Clarkson and Hofstra.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Clarkson Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Clarkson average a 3.8 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at Hofstra (3.74).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Clarkson vs. 10.3% at Hofstra.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Hofstra University graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Hofstra graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($242 vs. $279).
  • More Clarkson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hofstra students, three years after graduation (86% 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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