Colby College vs. Hofstra

Comparable Facts

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

Hofstra University is larger than Colby College based on total student enrollment (10,685 students vs. 2,412 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colby College is located in Waterville, ME (Remote Town setting); Hofstra University is in Hempstead, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Colby College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hofstra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colby College 9:1; Hofstra University 13:1.

Colby College vs. Hofstra Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby College 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 Colby College than Hofstra ($16,219 vs. $35,792).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colby College are 1.1% lower than at Hofstra University ($17,890 vs. $18,082).
• Colby College is 20.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Hofstra (about $11,940 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $57,660.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.7% higher at Colby College than at Hofstra University (about $11,940 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $57,660.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hofstra University than at Colby College (99% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 97.4% larger than aid received by Hofstra University students ($69,201 vs. $35,061).

Colby College vs. Hofstra Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colby College 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 Colby College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colby College (1510) is 190 points higher than at Hofstra (1320).
• Incoming Colby College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 30 at Hofstra).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 1460/1550; Hofstra University 1230/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 32/34; Hofstra University 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colby College - Test optional; Hofstra - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colby College students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Hofstra (3.74).
• Hofstra has a higher acceptance rate (68.1%) than Colby College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 10.3% at Hofstra.

Colby College vs. Hofstra Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colby College 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).

• Colby College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Hofstra University's (58%).
• Graduates from Colby College earn a median of about $14,200 more per year than Hofstra graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,400 vs. $59,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colby College graduates have a $4,155 lower median loan debt than Hofstra graduates ($19,345 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Colby College graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hofstra graduates ($200 vs. $242).
• More Colby College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hofstra students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.