Hofstra vs. RPI

Hofstra University and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Hofstra University
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: RPI (63.5% admitted vs 68.1%). Typical SAT 1440 vs 1320.
  • Cheaper after aid: Hofstra. Average net price is $35,792 vs $38,887 at RPI.
  • Graduation: Hofstra 58% vs RPI 84%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Hofstra $59,200 vs RPI $82,500 (median).
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Key differences

Hofstra University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Acceptance rate
RPI more selective
Hofstra68.1%
RPI63.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
RPI higher
Hofstra1230-1400
RPI1375-1510
Average net price
Hofstra $3,095 less
Hofstra$35,792
RPI$38,887
In-state tuition
Hofstra $6,421 less
Hofstra$57,660
RPI$64,081
Out-of-state tuition
Hofstra $6,421 less
Hofstra$57,660
RPI$64,081
Graduation rate
RPI +26 pts
Hofstra58%
RPI84%
Median earnings (10 years)
RPI +$23,300
Hofstra$59,200
RPI$82,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Hofstra 25,021
  • RPI 17,175
  • Admitted
  • Hofstra 17,035
  • RPI 10,901
  • Acceptance rate
  • Hofstra 68.1%
  • RPI 63.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Hofstra 10.3%
  • RPI 12.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Hofstra 1320
  • RPI 1440
  • Typical ACT score
  • Hofstra 30
  • RPI 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Hofstra 3.74
  • RPI 3.88
  • Typical high school grades
  • Hofstra A-
  • RPI A
  • Admissions standards
  • Hofstra Very High
  • RPI Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Hofstra Low
  • RPI Low
  • SAT range
  • Hofstra 1230-1400
  • RPI 1375-1510
  • ACT range
  • Hofstra 28-32
  • RPI 30-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Hofstra Test optional
  • RPI Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Hofstra
  • RPI Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Hofstra $57,660
  • RPI $64,081
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Hofstra $57,660
  • RPI $64,081
  • Room & board
  • Hofstra $18,082
  • RPI $18,120
  • Average net price
  • Hofstra $35,792
  • RPI $38,887
  • Average grant aid
  • Hofstra $35,061
  • RPI $43,517
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Hofstra 99%
  • RPI 95%
  • Graduation rate
  • Hofstra 58%
  • RPI 84%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Hofstra $59,200
  • RPI $82,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • Hofstra 72%
  • RPI 92%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Hofstra $23,500
  • RPI $27,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Hofstra $242
  • RPI $284
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Hofstra 13:1
  • RPI 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • Hofstra
    • Business (30%)
    • Communication (16%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • RPI
    • Engineering (53%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (9%)
    • Business (8%)
    • Engineering Technology (5%)
    • Architecture (5%)
  • Location
  • Hofstra Hempstead, NY
  • RPI Troy, NY
  • Setting
  • Hofstra Large Suburban
  • RPI Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Hofstra 10,685
  • RPI 7,040
  • Type
  • Hofstra Private 4 Year
  • RPI Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Hofstra #194
  • RPI #130

Comparable Facts

Compare Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Hofstra University is larger than RPI based on total student enrollment (10,685 students vs. 7,040 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Hofstra University is located in Hempstead, NY (Large Suburban setting); Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is in Troy, NY (Small City setting).
  • Hofstra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Hofstra University 13:1; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hofstra University are 0.2% lower than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ($18,082 vs. $18,120).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 11.1% higher at RPI than at Hofstra University (about $6,421 more per year; $64,081 vs. $57,660).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hofstra University than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (99% vs. 95%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students is 24.1% larger than aid received by Hofstra University students ($43,517 vs. $35,061).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at RPI than at Hofstra (32 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Hofstra and RPI.
  • Typical fall application deadline: RPI Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at RPI average a 3.88 high school GPA, 0.14 higher than at Hofstra (3.74).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Hofstra vs. 12.1% at RPI.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Hofstra University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,500).
  • Among borrowers, Hofstra graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($242 vs. $284).
  • More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hofstra students, three years after graduation (92% 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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