Hofstra vs. Mason

Deciding between Hofstra University and George Mason 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.

Hofstra University
George Mason University

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  • Overview

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

  • Cost

  • 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%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Hofstra 25,021
  • Mason 25,234
  • Admitted
  • Hofstra 17,035
  • Mason 22,074
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Hofstra 68.1%
  • Mason 87.5%
  • Enrolled
  • 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
  • ACT Range
  • Hofstra 28/32
  • Mason 25/30
  • SAT Range
  • Hofstra 1230/1400
  • Mason 1160/1360
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Hofstra Test optional
  • Mason Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Hofstra
  • Mason Feb 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • 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%)

  • Outcomes

  • 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

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Hofstra 40%
  • Mason 49%
  • % Women
  • Hofstra 60%
  • Mason 51%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Hofstra High
  • Mason Very High
  • HBCU
  • Hofstra No
  • Mason No
  • % White
  • Hofstra 57%
  • Mason 43%
  • % Asian
  • Hofstra 9%
  • Mason 19%
  • % Black
  • Hofstra 8%
  • Mason 11%
  • % Hispanic
  • Hofstra 14%
  • Mason 13%
  • % Native American
  • Hofstra 0%
  • Mason 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Hofstra 1%
  • Mason 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Hofstra 2%
  • Mason 5%
  • % International
  • Hofstra 4%
  • Mason 5%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Hofstra 4%
  • Mason 5%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Hofstra 64%
  • Mason 77%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Hofstra 34%
  • Mason 14%

  • Campus

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

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 table 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.

Hofstra vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hofstra or Mason? 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 George Mason University than Hofstra ($18,823 vs. $35,792).
  • 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).
  • Hofstra University is 305.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mason (about $43,440 more per year; $57,660.00 vs. $14,220.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 49% higher at Hofstra than at George Mason University (about $18,972 more per year; $57,660.00 vs. $38,688.00).
  • 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).

Hofstra vs. Mason Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Hofstra or Mason? 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 Mason and Hofstra.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hofstra University (1320) is 60 points higher than at Mason (1260).
  • Incoming Hofstra students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at Mason).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hofstra University 1230/1400; George Mason University 1160/1360.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hofstra University 28/32; George Mason University 25/30.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hofstra - Test optional; Mason - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Mason Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Hofstra students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at Mason (3.68).
  • Mason has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than Hofstra (68.1%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Hofstra vs. 20.2% at Mason.

Hofstra vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hofstra and Mason? 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).

  • George Mason University's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Hofstra University's (58%).
  • Graduates from George Mason University earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than Hofstra graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $59,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • 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 https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.