Cornell vs. Hofstra

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

Cornell University
Hofstra University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Cornell (8.8% admitted vs 68.1%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1320.
  • Cheaper after aid: Cornell. Average net price is $26,361 vs $35,792 at Hofstra.
  • Graduation: Cornell 93% vs Hofstra 58%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Cornell $98,400 vs Hofstra $59,200 (median).
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Key differences

Cornell University Hofstra University
Acceptance rate
Cornell more selective
Cornell8.8%
Hofstra68.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Cornell higher
Cornell1500-1570
Hofstra1230-1400
Average net price
Cornell $9,431 less
Cornell$26,361
Hofstra$35,792
In-state tuition
Hofstra $11,654 less
Cornell$69,314
Hofstra$57,660
Out-of-state tuition
Hofstra $11,654 less
Cornell$69,314
Hofstra$57,660
Graduation rate
Cornell +35 pts
Cornell93%
Hofstra58%
Median earnings (10 years)
Cornell +$39,200
Cornell$98,400
Hofstra$59,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Cornell 62,993
  • Hofstra 25,021
  • Admitted
  • Cornell 5,516
  • Hofstra 17,035
  • Acceptance rate
  • Cornell 8.8%
  • Hofstra 68.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Cornell 63.9%
  • Hofstra 10.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Cornell 1540
  • Hofstra 1320
  • Typical ACT score
  • Cornell 34
  • Hofstra 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • Cornell 3.9
  • Hofstra 3.74
  • Typical high school grades
  • Cornell A
  • Hofstra A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Cornell Elite
  • Hofstra Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Cornell Extreme
  • Hofstra Low
  • SAT range
  • Cornell 1500-1570
  • Hofstra 1230-1400
  • ACT range
  • Cornell 33-35
  • Hofstra 28-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Cornell Required
  • Hofstra Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Cornell Jan 2, 2027
  • Hofstra
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Cornell $69,314
  • Hofstra $57,660
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Cornell $69,314
  • Hofstra $57,660
  • Room & board
  • Cornell $19,428
  • Hofstra $18,082
  • Average net price
  • Cornell $26,361
  • Hofstra $35,792
  • Average grant aid
  • Cornell $61,779
  • Hofstra $35,061
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Cornell 48%
  • Hofstra 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • Cornell 93%
  • Hofstra 58%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Cornell $98,400
  • Hofstra $59,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • Cornell 87%
  • Hofstra 72%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Cornell $12,000
  • Hofstra $23,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Cornell $124
  • Hofstra $242
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Cornell 9:1
  • Hofstra 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • Cornell
    • Engineering (17%)
    • Agriculture (13%)
    • Business (13%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Hofstra
    • Business (30%)
    • Communication (16%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Location
  • Cornell Ithaca, NY
  • Hofstra Hempstead, NY
  • Setting
  • Cornell Small City
  • Hofstra Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Cornell 26,793
  • Hofstra 10,685
  • Type
  • Cornell Private 4 Year
  • Hofstra Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Cornell #19
  • Hofstra #194

Comparable Facts

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

Cornell University is larger than Hofstra based on total student enrollment (26,793 students vs. 10,685 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Cornell University is located in Ithaca, NY (Small City setting); Hofstra University is in Hempstead, NY (Large Suburban setting).
  • Cornell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hofstra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Cornell University 9:1; Hofstra University 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hofstra University are 6.9% lower than at Cornell University ($18,082 vs. $19,428).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 20.2% higher at Cornell than at Hofstra University (about $11,654 more per year; $69,314 vs. $57,660).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hofstra University than at Cornell University (99% vs. 48%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell University students is 76.2% larger than aid received by Hofstra University students ($61,779 vs. $35,061).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Cornell than at Hofstra (34 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are required at Cornell, test optional at Hofstra.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Cornell Jan 2, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Cornell average a 3.9 high school GPA, 0.16 higher than at Hofstra (3.74).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 63.9% at Cornell vs. 10.3% at Hofstra.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell University graduates have a $11,500 lower median loan debt than Hofstra graduates ($12,000 vs. $23,500).
  • Among borrowers, Cornell graduates have an estimated $118 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hofstra graduates ($124 vs. $242).
  • More Cornell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hofstra students, three years after graduation (87% 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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