Hofstra vs. JMU

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

Hofstra University
James Madison University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Hofstra (68.1% admitted vs 71.5%). Typical SAT 1320 vs 1260.
  • Cheaper after aid: JMU. Average net price is $18,856 vs $35,792 at Hofstra.
  • Graduation: Hofstra 58% vs JMU 81%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Hofstra $59,200 vs JMU $60,300 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Hofstra University James Madison University
Acceptance rate
Hofstra more selective
Hofstra68.1%
JMU71.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Hofstra higher
Hofstra1230-1400
JMU1170-1340
Average net price
JMU $16,936 less
Hofstra$35,792
JMU$18,856
In-state tuition
JMU $43,410 less
Hofstra$57,660
JMU$14,250
Out-of-state tuition
JMU $26,056 less
Hofstra$57,660
JMU$31,604
Graduation rate
JMU +23 pts
Hofstra58%
JMU81%
Median earnings (10 years)
JMU +$1,100
Hofstra$59,200
JMU$60,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Hofstra and JMU with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at Hofstra Check my chances at JMU
  • Applied
  • Hofstra 25,021
  • JMU 38,428
  • Admitted
  • Hofstra 17,035
  • JMU 27,482
  • Acceptance rate
  • Hofstra 68.1%
  • JMU 71.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Hofstra 10.3%
  • JMU 18.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Hofstra 1320
  • JMU 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • Hofstra 30
  • JMU 26
  • Average high school GPA
  • Hofstra 3.74
  • JMU 3.57
  • Typical high school grades
  • Hofstra A-
  • JMU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Hofstra Very High
  • JMU Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • Hofstra Low
  • JMU Low
  • SAT range
  • Hofstra 1230-1400
  • JMU 1170-1340
  • ACT range
  • Hofstra 28-32
  • JMU 24-29
  • Submit test scores
  • Hofstra Test optional
  • JMU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Hofstra
  • JMU Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Hofstra $57,660
  • JMU $14,250
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Hofstra $57,660
  • JMU $31,604
  • Room & board
  • Hofstra $18,082
  • JMU $13,056
  • Average net price
  • Hofstra $35,792
  • JMU $18,856
  • Average grant aid
  • Hofstra $35,061
  • JMU $12,114
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Hofstra 99%
  • JMU 33%
  • Graduation rate
  • Hofstra 58%
  • JMU 81%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Hofstra $59,200
  • JMU $60,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Hofstra 72%
  • JMU 83%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Hofstra $23,500
  • JMU $20,899
  • Median loan payment
  • Hofstra $242
  • JMU $216
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Hofstra 13:1
  • JMU 17:1
  • Popular majors
  • Hofstra
    • Business (30%)
    • Communication (16%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • JMU
    • Business (16%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Location
  • Hofstra Hempstead, NY
  • JMU Harrisonburg, VA
  • Setting
  • Hofstra Large Suburban
  • JMU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Hofstra 10,685
  • JMU 22,740
  • Type
  • Hofstra Private 4 Year
  • JMU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Hofstra #194
  • JMU #246

Comparable Facts

Compare Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY with James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

James Madison University is larger than Hofstra based on total student enrollment (22,740 students vs. 10,685 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Hofstra University is located in Hempstead, NY (Large Suburban setting); James Madison University is in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting).
  • Hofstra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. James Madison University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Hofstra University 13:1; James Madison University 17:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 27.8% lower than at Hofstra University ($13,056 vs. $18,082).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 82.4% higher at Hofstra than at James Madison University (about $26,056 more per year; $57,660 vs. $31,604).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hofstra University than at James Madison University (99% vs. 33%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Hofstra University students is 189.4% larger than aid received by James Madison University students ($35,061 vs. $12,114).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Hofstra than at JMU (30 vs. 26, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Hofstra and JMU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: JMU Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Hofstra average a 3.74 high school GPA, 0.17 higher than at JMU (3.57).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Hofstra vs. 18.2% at JMU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, James Madison University graduates have a $2,601 lower median loan debt than Hofstra graduates ($20,899 vs. $23,500).
  • Among borrowers, JMU graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hofstra graduates ($216 vs. $242).
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hofstra students, three years after graduation (83% vs. 72%).

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

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Hofstra University
James Madison University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges