Williams vs. Hofstra

Comparable Facts

Compare Williams College in Williamstown, 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 Williams based on total student enrollment (10,685 students vs. 2,164 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Williams College is located in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting); Hofstra University is in Hempstead, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hofstra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Williams College 6:1; Hofstra University 13:1.

Williams vs. Hofstra Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Williams 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 Williams College than Hofstra ($15,894 vs. $35,792).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 4.5% lower than at Hofstra University ($17,260 vs. $18,082).
• Williams College is 18.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Hofstra (about $10,900 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $57,660.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.9% higher at Williams than at Hofstra University (about $10,900 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $57,660.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hofstra University than at Williams College (99% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 96.7% larger than aid received by Hofstra University students ($68,966 vs. $35,061).

Williams vs. Hofstra Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Williams 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 Williams.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Williams College (1530) is 210 points higher than at Hofstra (1320).
• Incoming Williams 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: Williams College 1490/1570; Hofstra University 1230/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Williams College 34/35; Hofstra University 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Williams - Test optional; Hofstra - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Williams Jan 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Williams students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Hofstra (3.74).
• Hofstra has a higher acceptance rate (68.1%) than Williams (8.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43% at Williams vs. 10.3% at Hofstra.

Williams vs. Hofstra Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Williams 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).

• Williams College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than Hofstra University's (58%).
• Graduates from Williams College earn a median of about $14,400 more per year than Hofstra graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,600 vs. $59,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $8,918 lower median loan debt than Hofstra graduates ($14,582 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $92 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hofstra graduates ($150 vs. $242).
• More Williams graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hofstra students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.