Hofstra vs. Mason

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

Hofstra University
George Mason University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Hofstra (68.1% admitted vs 87.5%). Typical SAT 1320 vs 1260.
  • Cheaper after aid: Mason. Average net price is $18,823 vs $35,792 at Hofstra.
  • Graduation: Hofstra 58% vs Mason 64%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Hofstra $59,200 vs Mason $61,900 (median).
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Key differences

Hofstra University George Mason University
Acceptance rate
Hofstra more selective
Hofstra68.1%
Mason87.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Hofstra higher
Hofstra1230-1400
Mason1160-1360
Average net price
Mason $16,969 less
Hofstra$35,792
Mason$18,823
In-state tuition
Mason $43,440 less
Hofstra$57,660
Mason$14,220
Out-of-state tuition
Mason $18,972 less
Hofstra$57,660
Mason$38,688
Graduation rate
Mason +6 pts
Hofstra58%
Mason64%
Median earnings (10 years)
Mason +$2,700
Hofstra$59,200
Mason$61,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Hofstra 25,021
  • Mason 25,234
  • Admitted
  • Hofstra 17,035
  • Mason 22,074
  • Acceptance rate
  • Hofstra 68.1%
  • Mason 87.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Hofstra 10.3%
  • Mason 20.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Hofstra 1320
  • Mason 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • Hofstra 30
  • Mason 27
  • Average high school GPA
  • Hofstra 3.74
  • Mason 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • Hofstra A-
  • Mason A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Hofstra Very High
  • Mason Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • Hofstra Low
  • Mason
  • SAT range
  • Hofstra 1230-1400
  • Mason 1160-1360
  • ACT range
  • Hofstra 28-32
  • Mason 25-30
  • Submit test scores
  • Hofstra Test optional
  • Mason Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Hofstra
  • Mason Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Hofstra $57,660
  • Mason $14,220
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Hofstra $57,660
  • Mason $38,688
  • Room & board
  • Hofstra $18,082
  • Mason $15,725
  • Average net price
  • Hofstra $35,792
  • Mason $18,823
  • Average grant aid
  • Hofstra $35,061
  • Mason $12,852
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Hofstra 99%
  • Mason 71%
  • Graduation rate
  • Hofstra 58%
  • Mason 64%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Hofstra $59,200
  • Mason $61,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • Hofstra 72%
  • Mason 73%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Hofstra $23,500
  • Mason $19,750
  • Median loan payment
  • Hofstra $242
  • Mason $204
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Hofstra 13:1
  • Mason 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • Hofstra
    • Business (30%)
    • Communication (16%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Mason
    • Business (23%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • English and Literature (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Location
  • Hofstra Hempstead, NY
  • Mason Fairfax, VA
  • Setting
  • Hofstra Large Suburban
  • Mason Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Hofstra 10,685
  • Mason 39,766
  • Type
  • Hofstra Private 4 Year
  • Mason Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Hofstra #194
  • Mason #243

Comparable Facts

Compare Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY with George Mason University in Fairfax, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

George Mason University is larger than Hofstra based on total student enrollment (39,766 students vs. 10,685 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Hofstra University is located in Hempstead, NY (Large Suburban setting); George Mason University is in Fairfax, VA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Hofstra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. George Mason University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Hofstra University 13:1; George Mason University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Mason University are 13% lower than at Hofstra University ($15,725 vs. $18,082).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 49% higher at Hofstra than at George Mason University (about $18,972 more per year; $57,660 vs. $38,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hofstra University than at George Mason University (99% vs. 71%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Hofstra University students is 172.8% larger than aid received by George Mason University students ($35,061 vs. $12,852).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Hofstra than at Mason (30 vs. 27, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Hofstra and Mason.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Mason Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Hofstra average a 3.74 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at Mason (3.68).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Hofstra vs. 20.2% at Mason.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, George Mason University graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Hofstra graduates ($19,750 vs. $23,500).
  • Among borrowers, Mason graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hofstra graduates ($204 vs. $242).
  • More Mason graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hofstra students, three years after graduation (73% 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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