Columbia vs. Hofstra

Columbia University in the City of New York and Hofstra University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Columbia University in the City of New York
Hofstra University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Columbia (4% admitted vs 68.1%). Typical SAT 1550 vs 1320.
  • Cheaper after aid: Columbia. Average net price is $22,520 vs $35,792 at Hofstra.
  • Graduation: Columbia 93% vs Hofstra 58%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Columbia $107,600 vs Hofstra $59,200 (median).
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Key differences

Columbia University in the City of New York Hofstra University
Acceptance rate
Columbia more selective
Columbia4%
Hofstra68.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Columbia higher
Columbia1510-1580
Hofstra1230-1400
Average net price
Columbia $13,272 less
Columbia$22,520
Hofstra$35,792
In-state tuition
Hofstra $14,185 less
Columbia$71,845
Hofstra$57,660
Out-of-state tuition
Hofstra $14,185 less
Columbia$71,845
Hofstra$57,660
Graduation rate
Columbia +35 pts
Columbia93%
Hofstra58%
Median earnings (10 years)
Columbia +$48,400
Columbia$107,600
Hofstra$59,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Columbia 60,115
  • Hofstra 25,021
  • Admitted
  • Columbia 2,400
  • Hofstra 17,035
  • Acceptance rate
  • Columbia 4%
  • Hofstra 68.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Columbia 64.9%
  • Hofstra 10.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Columbia 1550
  • Hofstra 1320
  • Typical ACT score
  • Columbia 34
  • Hofstra 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • Columbia 3.91
  • Hofstra 3.74
  • Typical high school grades
  • Columbia A
  • Hofstra A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Columbia Elite
  • Hofstra Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Columbia Extreme
  • Hofstra Low
  • SAT range
  • Columbia 1510-1580
  • Hofstra 1230-1400
  • ACT range
  • Columbia 34-35
  • Hofstra 28-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Columbia Test optional
  • Hofstra Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Columbia Jan 1, 2027
  • Hofstra
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Columbia $71,845
  • Hofstra $57,660
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Columbia $71,845
  • Hofstra $57,660
  • Room & board
  • Columbia $17,580
  • Hofstra $18,082
  • Average net price
  • Columbia $22,520
  • Hofstra $35,792
  • Average grant aid
  • Columbia $67,010
  • Hofstra $35,061
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Columbia 52%
  • Hofstra 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • Columbia 93%
  • Hofstra 58%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Columbia $107,600
  • Hofstra $59,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • Columbia 76%
  • Hofstra 72%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Columbia $21,500
  • Hofstra $23,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Columbia $222
  • Hofstra $242
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Columbia 6:1
  • Hofstra 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • Columbia
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • Engineering (12%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
    • History (7%)
    • Health Professions (7%)
  • Hofstra
    • Business (30%)
    • Communication (16%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Location
  • Columbia New York, NY
  • Hofstra Hempstead, NY
  • Setting
  • Columbia Large City
  • Hofstra Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Columbia 35,173
  • Hofstra 10,685
  • Type
  • Columbia Private 4 Year
  • Hofstra Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Columbia #22
  • Hofstra #194

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY with Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Columbia University in the City of New York is larger than Hofstra based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 10,685 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Columbia University in the City of New York is located in New York, NY (Large City setting); Hofstra University is in Hempstead, NY (Large Suburban setting).
  • Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hofstra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1; Hofstra University 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 2.8% lower than at Hofstra University ($17,580 vs. $18,082).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 24.6% higher at Columbia than at Hofstra University (about $14,185 more per year; $71,845 vs. $57,660).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hofstra University than at Columbia University in the City of New York (99% vs. 52%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 91.1% larger than aid received by Hofstra University students ($67,010 vs. $35,061).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Columbia than at Hofstra (34 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Columbia and Hofstra.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Columbia average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.17 higher than at Hofstra (3.74).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.9% at Columbia vs. 10.3% at Hofstra.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia University in the City of New York graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Hofstra graduates ($21,500 vs. $23,500).
  • Among borrowers, Columbia graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hofstra graduates ($222 vs. $242).
  • More Columbia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hofstra students, three years after graduation (76% 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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