Wellesley vs. Hofstra

Comparable Facts

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

Hofstra University is larger than Wellesley based on total student enrollment (10,685 students vs. 2,407 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Wellesley vs. Hofstra Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wellesley or Hofstra? 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 Wellesley College than Hofstra ($22,174 vs. $35,792).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hofstra University are 14% lower than at Wellesley College ($18,082 vs. $21,024).
• Wellesley College is 16.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Hofstra (about $9,516 more per year; $67,176.00 vs. $57,660.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.5% higher at Wellesley than at Hofstra University (about $9,516 more per year; $67,176.00 vs. $57,660.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hofstra University than at Wellesley College (99% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wellesley College students is 82.9% larger than aid received by Hofstra University students ($64,116 vs. $35,061).

Wellesley vs. Hofstra Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wellesley College (1510) is 190 points higher than at Hofstra (1320).
• Incoming Wellesley 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: Wellesley College 1460/1560; Hofstra University 1230/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wellesley College 33/35; Hofstra University 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wellesley - Test optional; Hofstra - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wellesley Jan 8, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wellesley students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Hofstra (3.74).
• Hofstra has a higher acceptance rate (68.1%) than Wellesley (14%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.6% at Wellesley vs. 10.3% at Hofstra.

Wellesley vs. Hofstra Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wellesley and Hofstra? 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).

• Wellesley College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Hofstra University's (58%).
• Graduates from Wellesley College earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than Hofstra graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,100 vs. $59,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $14,600 lower median loan debt than Hofstra graduates ($8,900 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $150 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hofstra graduates ($92 vs. $242).
• More Wellesley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hofstra students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.