Harvard vs. Hofstra

Deciding between Harvard 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.

Harvard University
Hofstra University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • 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
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Harvard -
  • Hofstra -
  • Status
  • Harvard Non-profit
  • Hofstra Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Harvard
  • Hofstra

  • Cost

  • 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%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Harvard 54,008
  • Hofstra 25,021
  • Admitted
  • Harvard 1,970
  • Hofstra 17,035
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Harvard 3.6%
  • Hofstra 68.1%
  • Enrolled
  • 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
  • ACT Range
  • Harvard 34/36
  • Hofstra 28/32
  • SAT Range
  • Harvard 1510/1580
  • Hofstra 1230/1400
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Harvard Required
  • Hofstra Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Harvard Jan 1, 2027
  • Hofstra

  • Academics

  • 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%)

  • Outcomes

  • 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

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Harvard 46%
  • Hofstra 40%
  • % Women
  • Harvard 54%
  • Hofstra 60%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Harvard Very High
  • Hofstra High
  • HBCU
  • Harvard No
  • Hofstra No
  • % White
  • Harvard 44%
  • Hofstra 57%
  • % Asian
  • Harvard 19%
  • Hofstra 9%
  • % Black
  • Harvard 6%
  • Hofstra 8%
  • % Hispanic
  • Harvard 10%
  • Hofstra 14%
  • % Native American
  • Harvard 0%
  • Hofstra 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Harvard 0%
  • Hofstra 1%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Harvard 6%
  • Hofstra 2%
  • % International
  • Harvard 11%
  • Hofstra 4%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Harvard 3%
  • Hofstra 4%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Harvard 14%
  • Hofstra 64%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Harvard 68%
  • Hofstra 34%

  • Campus

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

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 table 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.

Harvard vs. Hofstra Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Harvard 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 Harvard University than Hofstra ($17,525 vs. $35,792).
  • 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).
  • Harvard University is 7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Hofstra (about $4,016 more per year; $61,676.00 vs. $57,660.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 7% higher at Harvard than at Hofstra University (about $4,016 more per year; $61,676.00 vs. $57,660.00).
  • 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).

Harvard vs. Hofstra Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Harvard 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 Harvard.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Harvard University (1550) is 230 points higher than at Hofstra (1320).
  • Incoming Harvard students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 30 at Hofstra).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Harvard University 1510/1580; Hofstra University 1230/1400.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Harvard University 34/36; Hofstra University 28/32.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Harvard - Required; Hofstra - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Harvard Jan 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Harvard students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Hofstra (3.74).
  • Hofstra has a higher acceptance rate (68.1%) than Harvard (3.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 83.6% at Harvard vs. 10.3% at Hofstra.

Harvard vs. Hofstra Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Harvard 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).

  • Harvard University's six-year graduation rate (97%) is higher than Hofstra University's (58%).
  • Graduates from Harvard University earn a median of about $77,500 more per year than Hofstra graduates about ten years after starting college ($136,700 vs. $59,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • 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 https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.