City College of New York vs. Hofstra

Comparable Facts

Compare CUNY City College in New York, NY with Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

CUNY City College is larger than Hofstra based on total student enrollment (15,544 students vs. 10,685 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• CUNY City College is located in New York, NY (Large City setting); Hofstra University is in Hempstead, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• CUNY City College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Hofstra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: CUNY City College 15:1; Hofstra University 13:1.

City College of New York vs. Hofstra Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, City College of New York 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 CUNY City College than Hofstra ($4,664 vs. $35,792).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hofstra University are 4% lower than at CUNY City College ($18,082 vs. $18,840).
• Hofstra University is 685.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than City College of New York (about $50,320 more per year; $57,660.00 vs. $7,340.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 277.1% higher at Hofstra than at CUNY City College (about $42,370 more per year; $57,660.00 vs. $15,290.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hofstra University than at CUNY City College (99% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hofstra University students is 259.1% larger than aid received by CUNY City College students ($35,061 vs. $9,763).

City College of New York vs. Hofstra Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, City College of New York 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 City College of New York.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hofstra University (1320) is 70 points higher than at City College of New York (1250).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: CUNY City College 1070/1430; Hofstra University 1230/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsHofstra University 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: City College of New York - Test optional; Hofstra - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: City College of New York Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Hofstra students have a 0.54 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at City College of New York (3.2).
• Hofstra has a higher acceptance rate (68.1%) than City College of New York (60%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at City College of New York vs. 10.3% at Hofstra.

City College of New York vs. Hofstra Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for City College of New York 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).

• Hofstra University's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than CUNY City College's (40%).
• Graduates from Hofstra University earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than City College of New York graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,200 vs. $49,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, CUNY City College graduates have a $12,100 lower median loan debt than Hofstra graduates ($11,400 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, City College of New York graduates have an estimated $125 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hofstra graduates ($117 vs. $242).
• More Hofstra graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former City College of New York students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 52%)

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.