Hofstra University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Hempstead, New York · Private nonprofit · Moderately selective · CDS 2025-2026

Admission at a glance

Common Data Set 2025-2026

  • Test-optional
  • Early Action
21,771
Applicants
15,821
Admitted73%
1,615
Enrolled
10%
Yield rate

Selectivity

Moderately selective73% admitted
AccessibleHighly selective
Median SAT
1320
Mid 50: 1260–1390
In-state tuition
$58,845
per year, before aid (CDS 2025-2026)
Net price (avg)
$34,176
after aid, what families pay

Ranked #191 (tie) in National Universities; Business Programs #116 (tie), Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs #32 (tie), Computer Science #193 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027

Admission figures come from the 2025-2026 Common Data Set published by Hofstra University (see the source), read on 2026-06-15.

Is Hofstra University a reach, target or safety for your student?

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Quick answer

Hofstra University is a private nonprofit university in Hempstead, New York that admits about 73% of applicants, making it a moderately selective school. The average family pays about $34,176 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Radio, Television, and Digital Communication, Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions and Psychology, General, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 66% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 1.7 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.

Hofstra University is a private institution located in Hempstead, New York with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, Hofstra University admits about half to three-quarters of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 73%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1320 and an ACT composite around 29. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $34,176 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for Hofstra University?

58% of enrolled students at Hofstra University had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.8, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.

Actual GPA distribution of admitted students
4.00
38.0%
3.75–3.99
20.0%
3.50–3.74
17.0%
3.25–3.49
12.0%
3.00–3.24
9.0%
2.50–2.99
4.0%
From the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Hofstra University.

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What does Hofstra University weight in admissions?

Hofstra University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean

Very Important

5
  • Rigor of secondary school record
  • Class rank
  • Academic GPA
  • Application essay
  • Recommendations

Important

4
  • Interview
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Talent/ability
  • Character/personal qualities

Considered

7
  • Standardized test scores
  • First generation status
  • Geographical residence
  • State residency
  • Volunteer work
  • Work experience
  • Level of applicant's interest

Not Considered

2
  • Alumni/ae relation
  • Religious affiliation/commitment

SAT and ACT scores Hofstra University typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 610–700, with an EBRW midpoint near 635. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 28–32. A score at or above this school's 75th percentile materially improves your child's odds, particularly when paired with a rigorous course load.

SAT Composite
25th percentile1260
50th percentile1320
75th percentile1390
% submitting SAT25%
ACT Composite
25th percentile28
50th percentile30
75th percentile32
% submitting ACT4%
Current testing policy
  • • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
  • • Policy detail: Considered if submitted

Where admitted students ranked in their high school class

Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort, often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.

Top 10% of class24%
Top 25% of class55%
Top 50% of class88%
% submitting class rank21%

How much does Hofstra University actually cost?

Published tuition is $57,660 for in-state students and $57,660 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $18,082 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $34,176 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 25% of students receive Pell Grants.

In-state tuition$58,845
Room and board$19,318
Average net price (after aid)$34,176
Share of financial need metaverage, for students with need72%
Average need-based grant$34,744
Average merit award, no financial need407 first-year students received one$31,501
Graduates who borrowed61%
Average debt at graduationamong those who borrowed$42,608
Financial aid formsFAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list
Application fee$70 (waivers available)

Application deadlines and early decision data for Hofstra University

Regular admission
Regular deadlineRolling
Notification dateRolling, beginning February 1
Reply deadlineMay 1 or within 2 weeks if notified thereafter
Rolling admissionsYes
Early admission
Offers Early ActionYes
EA deadlineEarly Action I - 11/15; Early Action II - 12/15

Will my child graduate from Hofstra University?

These predict outcomes at Hofstra University better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates

Freshman retention
85%
returned for sophomore year
4-year graduation
57%
finished on time
6-year graduation
66%
finished within 6 years

Most popular majors at Hofstra University

The most popular undergraduate programs at Hofstra University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Radio, Television, and Digital Communication, Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions and Psychology, General. Across all programs, Hofstra University confers roughly 568 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Radio, Television, and Digital Communication program report a median income of about $66,854 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

MajorGraduates / yearMedian earnings (5 yrs out)
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication106$66,854
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions73$59,532
Psychology, General70$62,755
Marketing70$70,248
Finance and Financial Management Services69$98,154
Political Science and Government65$70,385
Journalism58$60,154
Public Health57$62,283
Bachelor's-degree completions from federal IPEDS data; earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Is Hofstra University safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Hofstra University disclosed 11 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 1.7 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 3 violent offenses and 8 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

Total offenses
11
1.7 per 1,000 students
Violent crime
3
0.46 per 1,000
Sexual assault / VAWA
8
1.23 per 1,000
Burglary
0
reported incidents
Clery Act 2024, rates per 6,488 enrolled.

What is campus life like at Hofstra University?

About 36% of undergraduates at Hofstra University live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 0% of men join a fraternity and 0% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.

Live on campus
36%
of undergraduates
Classes under 20 students
48%
of course sections
Classes of 100 or more
0%
of course sections
In fraternities
0%
of men
In sororities
0%
of women
From the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Hofstra University.

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Common questions parents ask about Hofstra University

What GPA do I need for Hofstra University?

58% of enrolled students at Hofstra University had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.8, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.

What SAT or ACT score does Hofstra University typically admit?

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 610–700, with an EBRW midpoint near 635. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 28–32.

How much does Hofstra University actually cost after financial aid?

The average net price at Hofstra University after grants and scholarships is $34,176 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $57,660. Budget against the net figure.

Is Hofstra University realistic for my child?

Hofstra University admits 73% of applicants, so 610–700 SAT Math is target range and below 610 is a reach. Then check the $34,176 average net price against what your family can carry.

What is the acceptance rate at Hofstra University?

Hofstra University accepts about 73% of applicants out of roughly 21,771 who apply each year. That makes it a moderately selective school.

Is Hofstra University test-optional?

Yes. Hofstra University is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.

What is the graduation rate at Hofstra University?

About 66% of students at Hofstra University graduate within six years, and 57% finish in four years. 85% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.

What does Hofstra University look for in applicants?

Hofstra University rates course rigor, class rank, GPA and the application essay as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.

Is Hofstra University a public or private school, and where is it located?

Hofstra University is a private nonprofit institution located in Hempstead, New York.

What are the most popular majors at Hofstra University?

The largest undergraduate majors at Hofstra University by annual graduates are Radio, Television, and Digital Communication, Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions and Psychology, General. The school awards about 568 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.

Is Hofstra University safe? What is its campus crime rate?

Hofstra University reported 11 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 1.7 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.

What is campus life like at Hofstra University?

At Hofstra University, 36% of undergraduates live on campus, 0% of men are in fraternities, 0% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.

Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Hofstra University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers