Hofstra vs. RISD

Hofstra University and Rhode Island School of Design side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Hofstra University
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: RISD (18.7% admitted vs 68.1%). Typical SAT 1460 vs 1320.
  • Cheaper after aid: Hofstra. Average net price is $35,792 vs $43,492 at RISD.
  • Graduation: Hofstra 58% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Hofstra $59,200 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
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Key differences

Hofstra University Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
RISD more selective
Hofstra68.1%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
RISD higher
Hofstra1230-1400
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
Hofstra $7,700 less
Hofstra$35,792
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
Hofstra $5,028 less
Hofstra$57,660
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
Hofstra $5,028 less
Hofstra$57,660
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
RISD +29 pts
Hofstra58%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
Hofstra +$8,100
Hofstra$59,200
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Hofstra 25,021
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • Hofstra 17,035
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • Hofstra 68.1%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Hofstra 10.3%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Hofstra 1320
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • Hofstra 30
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Hofstra 3.74
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • Hofstra A-
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Hofstra Very High
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Hofstra Low
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • Hofstra 1230-1400
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • Hofstra 28-32
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Hofstra Test optional
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Hofstra
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Hofstra $57,660
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Hofstra $57,660
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • Hofstra $18,082
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • Hofstra $35,792
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • Hofstra $35,061
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Hofstra 99%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • Hofstra 58%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Hofstra $59,200
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Hofstra 72%
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Hofstra $23,500
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Hofstra $242
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Hofstra 13:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Hofstra
    • Business (30%)
    • Communication (16%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • Hofstra Hempstead, NY
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Hofstra Large Suburban
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Hofstra 10,685
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • Hofstra Private 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Hofstra #194
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

Compare Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY with Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Hofstra University is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (10,685 students vs. 2,520 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Hofstra University is located in Hempstead, NY (Large Suburban setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • Hofstra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rhode Island School of Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Hofstra University 13:1; Rhode Island School of Design 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhode Island School of Design are 8.1% lower than at Hofstra University ($16,626 vs. $18,082).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 8.7% higher at RISD than at Hofstra University (about $5,028 more per year; $62,688 vs. $57,660).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hofstra University than at Rhode Island School of Design (99% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students is 9% larger than aid received by Hofstra University students ($38,223 vs. $35,061).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at RISD than at Hofstra (32 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Hofstra and RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Hofstra average a 3.74 high school GPA, 0.03 higher than at RISD (3.71).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Hofstra vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Hofstra University graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Hofstra graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($242 vs. $279).
  • More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hofstra students, three years after graduation (89% 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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