Emerson vs. Hofstra

Comparable Facts

Compare Emerson College in Boston, 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 Emerson based on total student enrollment (10,685 students vs. 5,263 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Hofstra University is in Hempstead, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hofstra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Hofstra University 13:1.

Emerson vs. Hofstra Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emerson 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 Hofstra University than Emerson ($35,792 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hofstra University are 13.6% lower than at Emerson College ($18,082 vs. $20,920).
• Hofstra University is 1.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Emerson (about $604 more per year; $57,660.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.1% higher at Hofstra than at Emerson College (about $604 more per year; $57,660.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hofstra University than at Emerson College (99% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hofstra University students is 29.9% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($35,061 vs. $26,997).

Emerson vs. Hofstra Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Emerson 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 Emerson.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Emerson College (1350) is 30 points higher than at Hofstra (1320).
• Incoming Emerson students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 30) as students at Hofstra (30).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 1270/1420; Hofstra University 1230/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 29/32; Hofstra University 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emerson - Test optional; Hofstra - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Hofstra students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at Emerson (3.73).
• Hofstra has a higher acceptance rate (68.1%) than Emerson (51.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 10.3% at Hofstra.

Emerson vs. Hofstra Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emerson 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).

• Emerson College's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than Hofstra University's (58%).
• Graduates from Hofstra University earn a median of about $10,000 more per year than Emerson graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,200 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hofstra University and Emerson graduates have the same median loan debt ($23,500 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Hofstra University and Emerson graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($242 vs. $242).
• More Emerson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hofstra students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.