Hofstra vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre

Comparable Facts

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

Hofstra University is larger than Penn State Wilkes-Barre based on total student enrollment (10,685 students vs. 315 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hofstra University is located in Hempstead, NY (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Wilkes Barre is in Dallas, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Hofstra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Wilkes Barre is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hofstra University 13:1; Penn State Wilkes Barre 10:1.

Hofstra vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hofstra or Penn State Wilkes-Barre? 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 Wilkes Barre than Hofstra ($16,621 vs. $35,792).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Wilkes Barre are 15.5% lower than at Hofstra University ($15,274 vs. $18,082).
• Hofstra University is 303.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Wilkes-Barre (about $43,380 more per year; $57,660.00 vs. $14,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 140.2% higher at Hofstra than at Penn State Wilkes Barre (about $33,654 more per year; $57,660.00 vs. $24,006.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hofstra University than at Penn State Wilkes Barre (99% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hofstra University students is 259.9% larger than aid received by Penn State Wilkes Barre students ($35,061 vs. $9,742).

Hofstra vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Hofstra or Penn State Wilkes-Barre? 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 Wilkes-Barre and Hofstra.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hofstra University (1320) is 110 points higher than at Penn State Wilkes-Barre (1210).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hofstra University 1230/1400; Penn State Wilkes Barre 1090/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hofstra University 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hofstra - Test optional; Penn State Wilkes-Barre - Test optional.
• Penn State Wilkes-Barre has a higher acceptance rate (97%) than Hofstra (68.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Hofstra vs. 15% at Penn State Wilkes-Barre.

Hofstra vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hofstra and Penn State Wilkes-Barre? 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 Penn State Wilkes Barre's (47%).
• Graduates from Hofstra University earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than Penn State Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre graduates ($23,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Hofstra graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Wilkes-Barre graduates ($242 vs. $277).
• More Hofstra graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Wilkes-Barre 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.