Harvard vs. Hofstra

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

Harvard University
Hofstra University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Harvard (3.6% admitted vs 68.1%). Typical SAT 1550 vs 1320.
  • Cheaper after aid: Harvard. Average net price is $17,525 vs $35,792 at Hofstra.
  • Graduation: Harvard 97% vs Hofstra 58%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Harvard $136,700 vs Hofstra $59,200 (median).
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Key differences

Harvard University Hofstra University
Acceptance rate
Harvard more selective
Harvard3.6%
Hofstra68.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Harvard higher
Harvard1510-1580
Hofstra1230-1400
Average net price
Harvard $18,267 less
Harvard$17,525
Hofstra$35,792
In-state tuition
Hofstra $4,016 less
Harvard$61,676
Hofstra$57,660
Out-of-state tuition
Hofstra $4,016 less
Harvard$61,676
Hofstra$57,660
Graduation rate
Harvard +39 pts
Harvard97%
Hofstra58%
Median earnings (10 years)
Harvard +$77,500
Harvard$136,700
Hofstra$59,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Harvard 54,008
  • Hofstra 25,021
  • Admitted
  • Harvard 1,970
  • Hofstra 17,035
  • Acceptance rate
  • Harvard 3.6%
  • Hofstra 68.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Harvard 83.6%
  • Hofstra 10.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Harvard 1550
  • Hofstra 1320
  • Typical ACT score
  • Harvard 35
  • Hofstra 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • Harvard 4.0
  • Hofstra 3.74
  • Typical high school grades
  • Harvard A/A+
  • Hofstra A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Harvard Elite
  • Hofstra Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Harvard Extreme
  • Hofstra Low
  • SAT range
  • Harvard 1510-1580
  • Hofstra 1230-1400
  • ACT range
  • Harvard 34-36
  • Hofstra 28-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Harvard Required
  • Hofstra Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Harvard Jan 1, 2027
  • Hofstra
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Harvard $61,676
  • Hofstra $57,660
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Harvard $61,676
  • Hofstra $57,660
  • Room & board
  • Harvard $21,190
  • Hofstra $18,082
  • Average net price
  • Harvard $17,525
  • Hofstra $35,792
  • Average grant aid
  • Harvard $68,015
  • Hofstra $35,061
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Harvard 56%
  • Hofstra 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • Harvard 97%
  • Hofstra 58%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Harvard $136,700
  • Hofstra $59,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • Harvard 70%
  • Hofstra 72%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Harvard $6,500
  • Hofstra $23,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Harvard $67
  • Hofstra $242
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Harvard 7:1
  • Hofstra 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • Harvard
    • Social Sciences (32%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
    • History (9%)
    • Mathematics (6%)
  • Hofstra
    • Business (30%)
    • Communication (16%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Location
  • Harvard Cambridge, MA
  • Hofstra Hempstead, NY
  • Setting
  • Harvard Midsize City
  • Hofstra Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Harvard 30,259
  • Hofstra 10,685
  • Type
  • Harvard Private 4 Year
  • Hofstra Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Harvard #4
  • Hofstra #194

Comparable Facts

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

Harvard University is larger than Hofstra based on total student enrollment (30,259 students vs. 10,685 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Harvard University is located in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting); Hofstra University is in Hempstead, NY (Large Suburban setting).
  • Harvard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hofstra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Harvard University 7:1; Hofstra University 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hofstra University are 14.7% lower than at Harvard University ($18,082 vs. $21,190).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 7% higher at Harvard than at Hofstra University (about $4,016 more per year; $61,676 vs. $57,660).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hofstra University than at Harvard University (99% vs. 56%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Harvard University students is 94% larger than aid received by Hofstra University students ($68,015 vs. $35,061).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 5 points higher at Harvard than at Hofstra (35 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are required at Harvard, test optional at Hofstra.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Harvard Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Harvard average a 4.0 high school GPA, 0.26 higher than at Hofstra (3.74).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 83.6% at Harvard vs. 10.3% at Hofstra.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Harvard University graduates have a $17,000 lower median loan debt than Hofstra graduates ($6,500 vs. $23,500).
  • Among borrowers, Harvard graduates have an estimated $175 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hofstra graduates ($67 vs. $242).
  • More Hofstra graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Harvard students, three years after graduation (72% vs. 70%).

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

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