Colby College vs. Hofstra

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

Colby College
Hofstra University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Colby College (7.1% admitted vs 68.1%). Typical SAT 1510 vs 1320.
  • Cheaper after aid: Colby College. Average net price is $16,219 vs $35,792 at Hofstra.
  • Graduation: Colby College 91% vs Hofstra 58%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Colby College $73,400 vs Hofstra $59,200 (median).
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Key differences

Colby College Hofstra University
Acceptance rate
Colby College more selective
Colby College7.1%
Hofstra68.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Colby College higher
Colby College1460-1550
Hofstra1230-1400
Average net price
Colby College $19,573 less
Colby College$16,219
Hofstra$35,792
In-state tuition
Hofstra $11,940 less
Colby College$69,600
Hofstra$57,660
Out-of-state tuition
Hofstra $11,940 less
Colby College$69,600
Hofstra$57,660
Graduation rate
Colby College +33 pts
Colby College91%
Hofstra58%
Median earnings (10 years)
Colby College +$14,200
Colby College$73,400
Hofstra$59,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Colby College 19,187
  • Hofstra 25,021
  • Admitted
  • Colby College 1,360
  • Hofstra 17,035
  • Acceptance rate
  • Colby College 7.1%
  • Hofstra 68.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Colby College 46.2%
  • Hofstra 10.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Colby College 1510
  • Hofstra 1320
  • Typical ACT score
  • Colby College 33
  • Hofstra 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • Colby College 3.86
  • Hofstra 3.74
  • Typical high school grades
  • Colby College A
  • Hofstra A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Colby College Elite
  • Hofstra Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Colby College Extreme
  • Hofstra Low
  • SAT range
  • Colby College 1460-1550
  • Hofstra 1230-1400
  • ACT range
  • Colby College 32-34
  • Hofstra 28-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Colby College Test optional
  • Hofstra Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Colby College Jan 1, 2027
  • Hofstra
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Colby College $69,600
  • Hofstra $57,660
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Colby College $69,600
  • Hofstra $57,660
  • Room & board
  • Colby College $17,890
  • Hofstra $18,082
  • Average net price
  • Colby College $16,219
  • Hofstra $35,792
  • Average grant aid
  • Colby College $69,201
  • Hofstra $35,061
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Colby College 45%
  • Hofstra 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • Colby College 91%
  • Hofstra 58%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Colby College $73,400
  • Hofstra $59,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • Colby College 88%
  • Hofstra 72%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Colby College $19,345
  • Hofstra $23,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Colby College $200
  • Hofstra $242
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Colby College 9:1
  • Hofstra 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • Colby College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • General Studies (13%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
    • Physical Sciences (7%)
  • Hofstra
    • Business (30%)
    • Communication (16%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Location
  • Colby College Waterville, ME
  • Hofstra Hempstead, NY
  • Setting
  • Colby College Remote Town
  • Hofstra Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Colby College 2,412
  • Hofstra 10,685
  • Type
  • Colby College Private 4 Year
  • Hofstra Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Colby College #39
  • Hofstra #194

Comparable Facts

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

Hofstra University is larger than Colby College based on total student enrollment (10,685 students vs. 2,412 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Colby College is located in Waterville, ME (Remote Town setting); Hofstra University is in Hempstead, NY (Large Suburban setting).
  • Colby College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hofstra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Colby College 9:1; Hofstra University 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colby College are 1.1% lower than at Hofstra University ($17,890 vs. $18,082).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 20.7% higher at Colby College than at Hofstra University (about $11,940 more per year; $69,600 vs. $57,660).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hofstra University than at Colby College (99% vs. 45%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 97.4% larger than aid received by Hofstra University students ($69,201 vs. $35,061).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Colby College than at Hofstra (33 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Colby College and Hofstra.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Colby College average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.12 higher than at Hofstra (3.74).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 10.3% at Hofstra.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Colby College graduates have a $4,155 lower median loan debt than Hofstra graduates ($19,345 vs. $23,500).
  • Among borrowers, Colby College graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hofstra graduates ($200 vs. $242).
  • More Colby College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hofstra students, three years after graduation (88% 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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