Hofstra vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

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

Hofstra University is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (10,685 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hofstra University is located in Hempstead, NY (Large Suburban setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Hofstra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hofstra University 13:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Hofstra vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hofstra or Swarthmore? 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 Swarthmore College than Hofstra ($22,469 vs. $35,792).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hofstra University are 11% lower than at Swarthmore College ($18,082 vs. $20,308).
• Swarthmore College is 13.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Hofstra (about $7,834 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $57,660.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.6% higher at Swarthmore than at Hofstra University (about $7,834 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $57,660.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hofstra University than at Swarthmore College (99% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 75.8% larger than aid received by Hofstra University students ($61,634 vs. $35,061).

Hofstra vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 210 points higher than at Hofstra (1320).
• Incoming Swarthmore students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at Hofstra).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hofstra University 1230/1400; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hofstra University 28/32; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hofstra - Test optional; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Swarthmore students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Hofstra (3.74).
• Hofstra has a higher acceptance rate (68.1%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Hofstra vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Hofstra vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hofstra and Swarthmore? 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).

• Swarthmore College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than Hofstra University's (58%).
• Graduates from Swarthmore College earn a median of about $6,600 more per year than Hofstra graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,800 vs. $59,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than Hofstra graduates ($19,500 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Swarthmore graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hofstra graduates ($201 vs. $242).
• More Swarthmore graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hofstra students, three years after graduation. (87% 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.