Hofstra vs. RPI

Deciding between Hofstra University and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute? 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.

Hofstra University
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • Hofstra Hempstead, NY
  • RPI Troy, NY
  • Setting
  • Hofstra Large Suburban
  • RPI Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Hofstra 10,685
  • RPI 7,040
  • Type
  • Hofstra Private 4 Year
  • RPI Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Hofstra #194
  • RPI #130
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Hofstra -
  • RPI -
  • Status
  • Hofstra Non-profit
  • RPI Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Hofstra
  • RPI

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Hofstra $57,660
  • RPI $64,081
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Hofstra $57,660
  • RPI $64,081
  • Room & Board
  • Hofstra $18,082
  • RPI $18,120
  • Average Net Price
  • Hofstra $35,792
  • RPI $38,887
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Hofstra $35,061
  • RPI $43,517
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Hofstra 99%
  • RPI 95%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Hofstra 25,021
  • RPI 17,175
  • Admitted
  • Hofstra 17,035
  • RPI 10,901
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Hofstra 68.1%
  • RPI 63.5%
  • Enrolled
  • Hofstra 10.3%
  • RPI 12.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Hofstra 1320
  • RPI 1440
  • Typical ACT score
  • Hofstra 30
  • RPI 32
  • Average High School GPA
  • Hofstra 3.74
  • RPI 3.88
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Hofstra A-
  • RPI A
  • Admissions Standards
  • Hofstra Very High
  • RPI Exceptional
  • Applicant Competition
  • Hofstra Low
  • RPI Low
  • ACT Range
  • Hofstra 28/32
  • RPI 30/34
  • SAT Range
  • Hofstra 1230/1400
  • RPI 1375/1510
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Hofstra Test optional
  • RPI Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Hofstra
  • RPI Jan 15, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Hofstra 13:1
  • RPI 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Hofstra
    • Business (30%)
    • Communication (16%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • RPI
    • Engineering (53%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (9%)
    • Business (8%)
    • Engineering Technology (5%)
    • Architecture (5%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Hofstra 58%
  • RPI 84%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Hofstra $59,200
  • RPI $82,500
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Hofstra 72%
  • RPI 92%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Hofstra $23,500
  • RPI $27,500
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Hofstra $242
  • RPI $284

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Hofstra 40%
  • RPI 69%
  • % Women
  • Hofstra 60%
  • RPI 31%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Hofstra High
  • RPI High
  • HBCU
  • Hofstra No
  • RPI No
  • % White
  • Hofstra 57%
  • RPI 59%
  • % Asian
  • Hofstra 9%
  • RPI 10%
  • % Black
  • Hofstra 8%
  • RPI 3%
  • % Hispanic
  • Hofstra 14%
  • RPI 8%
  • % Native American
  • Hofstra 0%
  • RPI 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Hofstra 1%
  • RPI 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Hofstra 2%
  • RPI 7%
  • % International
  • Hofstra 4%
  • RPI 11%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Hofstra 4%
  • RPI 2%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Hofstra 64%
  • RPI 37%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Hofstra 34%
  • RPI 58%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Hofstra University is larger than RPI based on total student enrollment (10,685 students vs. 7,040 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Hofstra University is located in Hempstead, NY (Large Suburban setting); Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is in Troy, NY (Small City setting).
  • Hofstra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Hofstra University 13:1; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1.

Hofstra vs. RPI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hofstra or RPI? 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 RPI ($35,792 vs. $38,887).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hofstra University are 0.2% lower than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ($18,082 vs. $18,120).
  • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is 11.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Hofstra (about $6,421 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $57,660.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 11.1% higher at RPI than at Hofstra University (about $6,421 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $57,660.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hofstra University than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (99% vs. 95%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students is 24.1% larger than aid received by Hofstra University students ($43,517 vs. $35,061).

Hofstra vs. RPI Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Hofstra or RPI? 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 RPI and Hofstra.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1440) is 120 points higher than at Hofstra (1320).
  • Incoming RPI students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at Hofstra).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hofstra University 1230/1400; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hofstra University 28/32; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hofstra - Test optional; RPI - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: RPI Jan 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman RPI students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at Hofstra (3.74).
  • Hofstra has a higher acceptance rate (68.1%) than RPI (63.5%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Hofstra vs. 12.1% at RPI.

Hofstra vs. RPI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hofstra and RPI? 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).

  • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's six-year graduation rate (84%) is higher than Hofstra University's (58%).
  • Graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $23,300 more per year than Hofstra graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,500 vs. $59,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Hofstra University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,500).
  • Among borrowers, Hofstra graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($242 vs. $284).
  • More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hofstra students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.