Amherst vs. Hofstra

Comparable Facts

Compare Amherst College in Amherst, MA with Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Hofstra University is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (10,685 students vs. 1,914 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Hofstra University is in Hempstead, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hofstra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Hofstra University 13:1.

Amherst vs. Hofstra Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Amherst or Hofstra? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Amherst College than Hofstra ($19,049 vs. $35,792).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hofstra University are 1.7% lower than at Amherst College ($18,082 vs. $18,390).
• Amherst College is 22.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Hofstra (about $12,820 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $57,660.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.2% higher at Amherst than at Hofstra University (about $12,820 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $57,660.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hofstra University than at Amherst College (99% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 95.6% larger than aid received by Hofstra University students ($68,591 vs. $35,061).

Amherst vs. Hofstra Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Amherst or Hofstra? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Hofstra and Amherst.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Amherst College (1540) is 220 points higher than at Hofstra (1320).
• Incoming Amherst students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at Hofstra).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 1490/1580; Hofstra University 1230/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 33/35; Hofstra University 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Amherst - Test optional; Hofstra - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Amherst students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Hofstra (3.74).
• Hofstra has a higher acceptance rate (68.1%) than Amherst (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 10.3% at Hofstra.

Amherst vs. Hofstra Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Amherst and Hofstra? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Amherst College's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Hofstra University's (58%).
• Graduates from Amherst College earn a median of about $22,800 more per year than Hofstra graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,000 vs. $59,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $10,525 lower median loan debt than Hofstra graduates ($12,975 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $108 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hofstra graduates ($134 vs. $242).
• More Amherst graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hofstra students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 72%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.