Hofstra vs. Penn State Erie-Behrend College

Comparable Facts

Compare Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY with Penn State Erie Behrend College in Erie, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Hofstra University is larger than Penn State Erie-Behrend College based on total student enrollment (10,685 students vs. 3,336 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hofstra University is located in Hempstead, NY (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Erie Behrend College is in Erie, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Hofstra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Erie Behrend College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hofstra University 13:1; Penn State Erie Behrend College 12:1.

Hofstra vs. Penn State Erie-Behrend College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hofstra or Penn State Erie-Behrend College? 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 Penn State Erie Behrend College than Hofstra ($23,764 vs. $35,792).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Erie Behrend College are 20% lower than at Hofstra University ($14,474 vs. $18,082).
• Hofstra University is 261% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Erie-Behrend College (about $41,688 more per year; $57,660.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 113.9% higher at Hofstra than at Penn State Erie Behrend College (about $30,702 more per year; $57,660.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hofstra University than at Penn State Erie Behrend College (99% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hofstra University students is 225.8% larger than aid received by Penn State Erie Behrend College students ($35,061 vs. $10,760).

Hofstra vs. Penn State Erie-Behrend College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Hofstra or Penn State Erie-Behrend College? 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 Penn State Erie-Behrend College and Hofstra.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hofstra University (1320) is 100 points higher than at Penn State Erie-Behrend College (1220).
• Incoming Hofstra students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at Penn State Erie-Behrend College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hofstra University 1230/1400; Penn State Erie Behrend College 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hofstra University 28/32; Penn State Erie Behrend College 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hofstra - Test optional; Penn State Erie-Behrend College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Hofstra students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at Penn State Erie-Behrend College (3.49).
• Penn State Erie-Behrend College has a higher acceptance rate (96.8%) than Hofstra (68.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Hofstra vs. 14.5% at Penn State Erie-Behrend College.

Hofstra vs. Penn State Erie-Behrend College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hofstra and Penn State Erie-Behrend College? 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).

• Penn State Erie Behrend College's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Hofstra University's (58%).
• Graduates from Hofstra University earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than Penn State Erie-Behrend College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,200 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hofstra University graduates have a $3,318 lower median loan debt than Penn State Erie-Behrend College graduates ($23,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Hofstra graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Erie-Behrend College graduates ($242 vs. $277).
• More Hofstra graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Erie-Behrend College students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 69%)

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.