Hofstra vs. RISD

Deciding between Hofstra University and Rhode Island School of Design? 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
Rhode Island School of Design

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • Hofstra Hempstead, NY
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Hofstra Large Suburban
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Hofstra 10,685
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • Hofstra Private 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Hofstra #194
  • RISD #92
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Hofstra -
  • RISD -
  • Status
  • Hofstra Non-profit
  • RISD Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Hofstra
  • RISD

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Hofstra $57,660
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Hofstra $57,660
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & Board
  • Hofstra $18,082
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average Net Price
  • Hofstra $35,792
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Hofstra $35,061
  • RISD $38,223
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Hofstra 99%
  • RISD 31%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Hofstra 25,021
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • Hofstra 17,035
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Hofstra 68.1%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Enrolled
  • Hofstra 10.3%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Hofstra 1320
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • Hofstra 30
  • RISD 32
  • Average High School GPA
  • Hofstra 3.74
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Hofstra A-
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Hofstra Very High
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant Competition
  • Hofstra Low
  • RISD Very High
  • ACT Range
  • Hofstra 28/32
  • RISD 31/34
  • SAT Range
  • Hofstra 1230/1400
  • RISD 1396/1530
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Hofstra Test optional
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Hofstra
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Hofstra 13:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Hofstra
    • Business (30%)
    • Communication (16%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Hofstra 58%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Hofstra $59,200
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Hofstra 72%
  • RISD 89%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Hofstra $23,500
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Hofstra $242
  • RISD $279

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Hofstra 40%
  • RISD 29%
  • % Women
  • Hofstra 60%
  • RISD 71%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Hofstra High
  • RISD Very High
  • HBCU
  • Hofstra No
  • RISD No
  • % White
  • Hofstra 57%
  • RISD 31%
  • % Asian
  • Hofstra 9%
  • RISD 19%
  • % Black
  • Hofstra 8%
  • RISD 2%
  • % Hispanic
  • Hofstra 14%
  • RISD 8%
  • % Native American
  • Hofstra 0%
  • RISD 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Hofstra 1%
  • RISD 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Hofstra 2%
  • RISD 4%
  • % International
  • Hofstra 4%
  • RISD 26%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Hofstra 4%
  • RISD 8%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Hofstra 64%
  • RISD 2%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Hofstra 34%
  • RISD 55%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY with Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Hofstra University is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (10,685 students vs. 2,520 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Hofstra University is located in Hempstead, NY (Large Suburban setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • Hofstra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rhode Island School of Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Hofstra University 13:1; Rhode Island School of Design 8:1.

Hofstra vs. RISD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hofstra or RISD? 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 RISD ($35,792 vs. $43,492).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhode Island School of Design are 8.1% lower than at Hofstra University ($16,626 vs. $18,082).
  • Rhode Island School of Design is 8.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Hofstra (about $5,028 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $57,660.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 8.7% higher at RISD than at Hofstra University (about $5,028 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $57,660.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hofstra University than at Rhode Island School of Design (99% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students is 9% larger than aid received by Hofstra University students ($38,223 vs. $35,061).

Hofstra vs. RISD Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rhode Island School of Design (1460) is 140 points higher than at Hofstra (1320).
  • Incoming RISD 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; Rhode Island School of Design 1396/1530.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hofstra University 28/32; Rhode Island School of Design 31/34.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hofstra - Test optional; RISD - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Hofstra students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at RISD (3.71).
  • Hofstra has a higher acceptance rate (68.1%) than RISD (18.7%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Hofstra vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Hofstra vs. RISD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hofstra and RISD? 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).

  • Rhode Island School of Design's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Hofstra University's (58%).
  • Graduates from Hofstra University earn a median of about $8,100 more per year than RISD graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,200 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Hofstra University graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Hofstra graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($242 vs. $279).
  • More RISD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hofstra students, three years after graduation. (89% 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.