Hofstra University vs Hobart William Smith Colleges: which has better ROI?
Hobart William Smith Colleges has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $126,252 in 6.2 years versus 6.6 years at Hofstra University, on median earnings of $68,831 vs $69,039 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Hofstra University | Hobart William Smith Colleges |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $34,176 | $31,563 |
| Total net cost | $136,704 | $126,252 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $69,039 | $68,831 |
| Median debt | $23,621 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 6.6 yrs | 6.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $276,876 | $283,168 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Hofstra University or Hobart William Smith Colleges?
Hobart William Smith Colleges, at $31,563 a year after aid versus $34,176 — a gap of $2,613 a year, or $10,452 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Hofstra University or Hobart William Smith Colleges graduates earn more?
Hofstra University graduates report a median $69,039 ten years after entry, $208 more than the $68,831 at Hobart William Smith Colleges. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Hofstra University or Hobart William Smith Colleges?
Hofstra University: its completers carry a median $23,621 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Hobart William Smith Colleges, a difference of $3,379. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
77% of students finish at Hobart William Smith Colleges, against 69% at Hofstra University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.