BU vs. Hofstra

Boston University and Hofstra University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Boston University
Hofstra University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: BU (11.1% admitted vs 68.1%). Typical SAT 1480 vs 1320.
  • Cheaper after aid: BU. Average net price is $24,420 vs $35,792 at Hofstra.
  • Graduation: BU 85% vs Hofstra 58%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: BU $72,000 vs Hofstra $59,200 (median).
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Key differences

Boston University Hofstra University
Acceptance rate
BU more selective
BU11.1%
Hofstra68.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
BU higher
BU1420-1530
Hofstra1230-1400
Average net price
BU $11,372 less
BU$24,420
Hofstra$35,792
In-state tuition
Hofstra $10,442 less
BU$68,102
Hofstra$57,660
Out-of-state tuition
Hofstra $10,442 less
BU$68,102
Hofstra$57,660
Graduation rate
BU +27 pts
BU85%
Hofstra58%
Median earnings (10 years)
BU +$12,800
BU$72,000
Hofstra$59,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • BU 78,769
  • Hofstra 25,021
  • Admitted
  • BU 8,749
  • Hofstra 17,035
  • Acceptance rate
  • BU 11.1%
  • Hofstra 68.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • BU 37.4%
  • Hofstra 10.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • BU 1480
  • Hofstra 1320
  • Typical ACT score
  • BU 33
  • Hofstra 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • BU 3.79
  • Hofstra 3.74
  • Typical high school grades
  • BU A-
  • Hofstra A-
  • Admissions standards
  • BU Exceptional
  • Hofstra Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • BU Very High
  • Hofstra Low
  • SAT range
  • BU 1420-1530
  • Hofstra 1230-1400
  • ACT range
  • BU 32-34
  • Hofstra 28-32
  • Submit test scores
  • BU Test optional
  • Hofstra Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • BU Jan 4, 2027
  • Hofstra
  • Tuition (in state)
  • BU $68,102
  • Hofstra $57,660
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • BU $68,102
  • Hofstra $57,660
  • Room & board
  • BU $19,020
  • Hofstra $18,082
  • Average net price
  • BU $24,420
  • Hofstra $35,792
  • Average grant aid
  • BU $61,848
  • Hofstra $35,061
  • % receiving grant aid
  • BU 49%
  • Hofstra 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • BU 85%
  • Hofstra 58%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • BU $72,000
  • Hofstra $59,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • BU 82%
  • Hofstra 72%
  • Median student loan debt
  • BU $27,000
  • Hofstra $23,500
  • Median loan payment
  • BU $279
  • Hofstra $242
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • BU 10:1
  • Hofstra 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • BU
    • Business (21%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (15%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Engineering (7%)
  • Hofstra
    • Business (30%)
    • Communication (16%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Location
  • BU Boston, MA
  • Hofstra Hempstead, NY
  • Setting
  • BU Large City
  • Hofstra Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • BU 37,737
  • Hofstra 10,685
  • Type
  • BU Private 4 Year
  • Hofstra Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • BU #73
  • Hofstra #194

Comparable Facts

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

Boston University is larger than Hofstra based on total student enrollment (37,737 students vs. 10,685 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Boston University is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Hofstra University is in Hempstead, NY (Large Suburban setting).
  • Boston University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hofstra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Boston University 10:1; Hofstra University 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hofstra University are 4.9% lower than at Boston University ($18,082 vs. $19,020).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 18.1% higher at BU than at Hofstra University (about $10,442 more per year; $68,102 vs. $57,660).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hofstra University than at Boston University (99% vs. 49%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Boston University students is 76.4% larger than aid received by Hofstra University students ($61,848 vs. $35,061).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at BU than at Hofstra (33 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both BU and Hofstra.
  • Typical fall application deadline: BU Jan 4, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at BU average a 3.79 high school GPA, 0.05 higher than at Hofstra (3.74).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at BU vs. 10.3% at Hofstra.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Hofstra University graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than BU graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Hofstra graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BU graduates ($242 vs. $279).
  • More BU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hofstra students, three years after graduation (82% vs. 72%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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