Hamilton College vs. Hofstra

Deciding between Hamilton College and Hofstra University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Hamilton College
Hofstra University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Hamilton College Clinton, NY
  • Hofstra Hempstead, NY
  • Setting
  • Hamilton College Rural Fringe
  • Hofstra Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Hamilton College 2,031
  • Hofstra 10,685
  • Type
  • Hamilton College Private 4 Year
  • Hofstra Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Hamilton College #26
  • Hofstra #194
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Hamilton College -
  • Hofstra -
  • Status
  • Hamilton College Non-profit
  • Hofstra Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Hamilton College
  • Hofstra
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Hamilton College $68,960
  • Hofstra $57,660
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Hamilton College $68,960
  • Hofstra $57,660
  • Room & Board
  • Hamilton College $17,510
  • Hofstra $18,082
  • Average Net Price
  • Hamilton College $28,719
  • Hofstra $35,792
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Hamilton College $55,511
  • Hofstra $35,061
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Hamilton College 56%
  • Hofstra 99%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Hamilton College 8,531
  • Hofstra 25,021
  • Admitted
  • Hamilton College 1,162
  • Hofstra 17,035
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Hamilton College 13.6%
  • Hofstra 68.1%
  • Enrolled
  • Hamilton College 39%
  • Hofstra 10.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Hamilton College 1500
  • Hofstra 1320
  • Typical ACT score
  • Hamilton College 34
  • Hofstra 30
  • Average High School GPA
  • Hamilton College 3.87
  • Hofstra 3.74
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Hamilton College A
  • Hofstra A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Hamilton College Elite
  • Hofstra Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • Hamilton College Very High
  • Hofstra Low
  • ACT Range
  • Hamilton College 33/35
  • Hofstra 28/32
  • SAT Range
  • Hamilton College 1450/1550
  • Hofstra 1230/1400
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Hamilton College Test optional
  • Hofstra Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027
  • Hofstra
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Hamilton College 9:1
  • Hofstra 13:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Hamilton College
    • Social Sciences (28%)
    • Foreign Languages (11%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Mathematics (6%)
  • Hofstra
    • Business (30%)
    • Communication (16%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Hamilton College 89%
  • Hofstra 58%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Hamilton College $79,000
  • Hofstra $59,200
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Hamilton College 90%
  • Hofstra 72%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Hamilton College $15,760
  • Hofstra $23,500
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Hamilton College $162
  • Hofstra $242
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Hamilton College 44%
  • Hofstra 40%
  • % Women
  • Hamilton College 56%
  • Hofstra 60%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Hamilton College Medium
  • Hofstra High
  • HBCU
  • Hamilton College No
  • Hofstra No
  • % White
  • Hamilton College 63%
  • Hofstra 57%
  • % Asian
  • Hamilton College 7%
  • Hofstra 9%
  • % Black
  • Hamilton College 5%
  • Hofstra 8%
  • % Hispanic
  • Hamilton College 7%
  • Hofstra 14%
  • % Native American
  • Hamilton College 0%
  • Hofstra 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Hamilton College 0%
  • Hofstra 1%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Hamilton College 3%
  • Hofstra 2%
  • % International
  • Hamilton College 6%
  • Hofstra 4%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Hamilton College 8%
  • Hofstra 4%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Hamilton College 29%
  • Hofstra 64%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Hamilton College 62%
  • Hofstra 34%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Hamilton College Yes
  • Hofstra Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Hamilton College Yes
  • Hofstra No
  • Meal Plan
  • Hamilton College Yes
  • Hofstra Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Hamilton College No
  • Hofstra Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Hamilton College Yes
  • Hofstra Yes

Comparable Facts

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

Hofstra University is larger than Hamilton College based on total student enrollment (10,685 students vs. 2,031 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Hamilton College is located in Clinton, NY (Rural Fringe setting); Hofstra University is in Hempstead, NY (Large Suburban setting).
  • Hamilton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hofstra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Hamilton College 9:1; Hofstra University 13:1.

Hamilton College vs. Hofstra Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hamilton 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 Hamilton College than Hofstra ($28,719 vs. $35,792).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hamilton College are 3.2% lower than at Hofstra University ($17,510 vs. $18,082).
  • Hamilton College is 19.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Hofstra (about $11,300 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $57,660.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 19.6% higher at Hamilton College than at Hofstra University (about $11,300 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $57,660.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hofstra University than at Hamilton College (99% vs. 56%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Hamilton College students is 58.3% larger than aid received by Hofstra University students ($55,511 vs. $35,061).

Hamilton College vs. Hofstra Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hamilton College (1500) is 180 points higher than at Hofstra (1320).
  • Incoming Hamilton College 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: Hamilton College 1450/1550; Hofstra University 1230/1400.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hamilton College 33/35; Hofstra University 28/32.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hamilton College - Test optional; Hofstra - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Hamilton College students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Hofstra (3.74).
  • Hofstra has a higher acceptance rate (68.1%) than Hamilton College (13.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 39% at Hamilton College vs. 10.3% at Hofstra.

Hamilton College vs. Hofstra Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hamilton 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).

  • Hamilton College's six-year graduation rate (89%) is higher than Hofstra University's (58%).
  • Graduates from Hamilton College earn a median of about $19,800 more per year than Hofstra graduates about ten years after starting college ($79,000 vs. $59,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have a $7,740 lower median loan debt than Hofstra graduates ($15,760 vs. $23,500).
  • Among borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have an estimated $80 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hofstra graduates ($162 vs. $242).
  • More Hamilton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hofstra students, three years after graduation. (90% 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.