AU vs. Hofstra

Deciding between American University and Hofstra University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

American University
Hofstra University

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • AU Washington, DC
  • Hofstra Hempstead, NY
  • Setting
  • AU Large City
  • Hofstra Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • AU 12,321
  • Hofstra 10,685
  • Type
  • AU Private 4 Year
  • Hofstra Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • AU #94
  • Hofstra #194
  • Religious Affiliation
  • AU United Methodist
  • Hofstra -
  • Status
  • AU Non-profit
  • Hofstra Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • AU
  • Hofstra

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • AU $58,771
  • Hofstra $57,660
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • AU $58,771
  • Hofstra $57,660
  • Room & Board
  • AU $17,982
  • Hofstra $18,082
  • Average Net Price
  • AU $39,676
  • Hofstra $35,792
  • Average Grant Aid
  • AU $36,349
  • Hofstra $35,061
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • AU 67%
  • Hofstra 99%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • AU 17,173
  • Hofstra 25,021
  • Admitted
  • AU 10,640
  • Hofstra 17,035
  • Acceptance Rate
  • AU 62%
  • Hofstra 68.1%
  • Enrolled
  • AU 15.6%
  • Hofstra 10.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • AU 1370
  • Hofstra 1320
  • Typical ACT score
  • AU 30
  • Hofstra 30
  • Average High School GPA
  • AU 3.7
  • Hofstra 3.74
  • Typical High School Grades
  • AU A-
  • Hofstra A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • AU Very High
  • Hofstra Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • AU Low
  • Hofstra Low
  • ACT Range
  • AU 29/32
  • Hofstra 28/32
  • SAT Range
  • AU 1280/1460
  • Hofstra 1230/1400
  • Submit Test Scores
  • AU Test optional
  • Hofstra Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • AU Jan 15, 2027
  • Hofstra

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • AU 10:1
  • Hofstra 13:1
  • Popular Majors
  • AU
    • Social Sciences (43%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
    • Psychology (3%)
  • Hofstra
    • Business (30%)
    • Communication (16%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • AU 77%
  • Hofstra 58%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • AU $64,800
  • Hofstra $59,200
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • AU 80%
  • Hofstra 72%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • AU $24,250
  • Hofstra $23,500
  • Median Loan Payment
  • AU $250
  • Hofstra $242

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • AU 37%
  • Hofstra 40%
  • % Women
  • AU 63%
  • Hofstra 60%
  • Racial Diversity
  • AU High
  • Hofstra High
  • HBCU
  • AU No
  • Hofstra No
  • % White
  • AU 58%
  • Hofstra 57%
  • % Asian
  • AU 7%
  • Hofstra 9%
  • % Black
  • AU 7%
  • Hofstra 8%
  • % Hispanic
  • AU 12%
  • Hofstra 14%
  • % Native American
  • AU 0%
  • Hofstra 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • AU 0%
  • Hofstra 1%
  • % Two or More Races
  • AU 5%
  • Hofstra 2%
  • % International
  • AU 7%
  • Hofstra 4%
  • % Unknown Race
  • AU 4%
  • Hofstra 4%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • AU 3%
  • Hofstra 64%
  • % Out-of-State
  • AU 94%
  • Hofstra 34%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • AU Yes
  • Hofstra Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • AU No
  • Hofstra No
  • Meal Plan
  • AU Yes
  • Hofstra Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • AU Yes
  • Hofstra Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • AU Yes
  • Hofstra Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare American University in Washington, DC with Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

American University is larger than Hofstra based on total student enrollment (12,321 students vs. 10,685 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

AU vs. Hofstra Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or Hofstra? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Hofstra University than AU ($35,792 vs. $39,676).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at American University are 0.6% lower than at Hofstra University ($17,982 vs. $18,082).
  • American University is 1.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Hofstra (about $1,111 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $57,660.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 1.9% higher at AU than at Hofstra University (about $1,111 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $57,660.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hofstra University than at American University (99% vs. 67%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by American University students is 3.7% larger than aid received by Hofstra University students ($36,349 vs. $35,061).

AU vs. Hofstra Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU or Hofstra? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Hofstra and AU.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at American University (1370) is 50 points higher than at Hofstra (1320).
  • Incoming AU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 30) as students at Hofstra (30).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 1280/1460; Hofstra University 1230/1400.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 29/32; Hofstra University 28/32.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; Hofstra - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Hofstra students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at AU (3.7).
  • Hofstra has a higher acceptance rate (68.1%) than AU (62%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 10.3% at Hofstra.

AU vs. Hofstra Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and Hofstra? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • American University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Hofstra University's (58%).
  • Graduates from American University earn a median of about $5,600 more per year than Hofstra graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,800 vs. $59,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Hofstra University graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than AU graduates ($23,500 vs. $24,250).
  • Among borrowers, Hofstra graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AU graduates ($242 vs. $250).
  • More AU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hofstra students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 72%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.