Admit rate has ranged 68%–71% over the last 5 years. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Hofstra University is a private Long Island institution with a suburban 240-acre campus that punches above its weight in business and health professions programs. Known for its lush grounds and proximity to NYC, Hofstra attracts a moderately selective, regionally diverse student body (36% out-of-state) with a 68% acceptance rate and mid-range SAT scores of 1260–1390. The university stands out for its strong career outcomes in fields like business and engineering, where graduates report median salaries of $59,000–$120K.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Demonstrated competencies
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
6,488
In-state tuition
$57,660
Out-of-state tuition
$57,660
Location
Hempstead, NY (240-acre suburban campus)
Popular Majors
Business, Health Professions, Psychology
Acceptance Rate
68%
Average Aid Package
$38,924
Median Salary (5 Yrs)
$71,515
Out-of-State Students
31%
6-Year Graduation Rate
67%
International Students
3%
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$69,039
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.0×
Median debt at graduation
$23,621
Graduation rate
69%
First-year retention
84%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
71%
Pell (lower-income) share
41%
First-generation share
24%
Endowment / student
$142,620
Financial health
2.2 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Mechanical Engineering$63,005
Engineering Science$62,409
Computer Science$62,012
Finance and Financial Management Services$56,234
Accounting and Related Services$55,422
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods$50,439
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
6
Per 1,000 students
0.92
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
95
Summer high
81°F
Winter low
29°F
Annual rain
55.8"
Annual snow
18"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively High
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
298
Scholarly works
22,451
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
3.0%
Bottom → top quintile
42%
From bottom quintile
7%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Hofstra University?
Hofstra University's acceptance rate is approximately 68% (Hempstead, NY), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Hofstra University?
Admitted students at Hofstra University typically score 1230–1400 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Hofstra University cost?
At Hofstra University, the average net price (after aid) is about $34,176 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Hofstra University?
Hofstra University enrolls approximately 6,488 undergraduate students.
Where is Hofstra University located?
Hofstra University is located in Hempstead, NY.
Admissions
Hofstra maintains a 68% acceptance rate (sources vary between 68-72.67%), making it moderately selective among private universities. For Fall 2026 admissions, the mid-range SAT scores were 1270-1450 (CR+M) and ACT scores 28-33, with 36% of students coming from outside New York. The university received 25,021 applications in recent cycles, with about two-thirds admitted. Notably, Hofstra is Test-optionalA policy where you choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you don't, the rest of your application carries more weight.—SAT/ACT scores are considered but not required—and emphasizes high school GPA in admissions decisions. The application fee is $70, and the student body includes 3% international students and 31% out-of-state enrollees.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
International Business$48,041
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas$45,852
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Hofstra offers six undergraduate degrees (BA, BBA, BE, BFA, BS, BSEd) across 38 accredited programs, with business and health professions dominating enrollment. The Zarb School of Business and health-related programs are particularly strong, with engineering graduates reporting a 91% career outcomes rate and median salaries of $59,000. Popular majors include:
Business, Management, Marketing (most enrolled)
Health Professions
Psychology
Finance
Engineering (notable for high job placement)
The university holds 41 total accreditations, and its 240-acre campus facilitates a student-faculty ratio of 13:1, though specific figures on class sizes are unavailable in sources.
Life at Hofstra revolves around its suburban 240-acre campus, described as 'beautiful' by students, though social opportunities require initiative. Only 38% of students live on campus, with the majority commuting or living off-campus. Key aspects:
Clubs/Greek life: Active but not dominant (Reddit notes you must 'seek out' social scenes)
Events: Theatrical performances, concerts, and lectures are frequent (per Law School page)
Housing: 'Well-appointed' residences with a focus on community-building
Instagram presence: @hofstrastudentlife showcases campus events for 4.5K followers
Proximity to NYC (40 minutes by train) allows for internships and cultural access, but the vibe is self-contained rather than urban.
Hofstra’s 67% six-year graduation rate exceeds the national average (59%), with strong earnings trajectories, especially in business and engineering. Key data:
Median salary 1 year post-grad: $44,815 (varies by major)
Median salary 5 years post-grad: $71,515 (Niche)
Zarb School of Business grads: $120K average salary (91% reporting)
Engineering grads: 91% employed, median $59K salary
The university outperforms peers in net tuition revenue per student (94th percentile) and faculty salary rankings (100th percentile), suggesting robust institutional investment.
Hofstra’s sticker price is high, but 66% of students receive aid, reducing the average Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. to $35,036–$47,894. Key figures:
Average aid package: $38,924 (includes scholarships/grants)
Institutional scholarships: Average $34,017 (not counting federal/state aid)
Net price calculators: Available to estimate individualized costs
While tuition is steep, the university emphasizes affordability through Merit aidScholarship money awarded for achievements like grades, talents, or test scores — not based on your family's financial need., with business and engineering programs justifying costs via strong ROI.
Hofstra’s proximity to NYC and career-focused programs in business, health, and engineering make it a pragmatic choice for students seeking urban access without an urban campus. The Zarb School’s $120K graduate salaries and 91% engineering job placement validate its professional focus, while the 67% graduation rate (above national average) reflects strong student support. Less a 'college town' than a suburban launchpad, Hofstra rewards students who leverage its resources—like the 240-acre campus and 38 academic accreditations—to build career momentum.
Hofstra University logo · sourceVirtual Tour - Hofstra University · sourceHofstra University Campus Map with Legend by Hofstra University - Issuu · sourceHofstra University (HU) - The Princeton Review College Rankings & Reviews · source
