Hofstra vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

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

Hofstra University is larger than Penn State Harrisburg based on total student enrollment (10,685 students vs. 4,478 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hofstra University is located in Hempstead, NY (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Hofstra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hofstra University 13:1; Penn State Harrisburg 15:1.

Hofstra vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hofstra or Penn State Harrisburg? 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 Harrisburg than Hofstra ($23,788 vs. $35,792).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg (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 Harrisburg (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 Harrisburg (99% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hofstra University students is 279.2% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($35,061 vs. $9,245).

Hofstra vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Hofstra or Penn State Harrisburg? 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 Harrisburg and Hofstra.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hofstra University (1320) is 100 points higher than at Penn State Harrisburg (1220).
• Incoming Hofstra students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 26 at Penn State Harrisburg).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hofstra University 1230/1400; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hofstra University 28/32; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hofstra - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Hofstra students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at Penn State Harrisburg (3.48).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than Hofstra (68.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Hofstra vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

Hofstra vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hofstra and Penn State Harrisburg? 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 Harrisburg's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Hofstra University's (58%).
• Graduates from Hofstra University earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than Penn State Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg graduates ($23,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Hofstra graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($242 vs. $277).
• More Hofstra graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Harrisburg 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.