Hofstra vs. JMU

Deciding between Hofstra University and James Madison 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
James Madison University

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  • Overview

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

  • Cost

  • 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%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Hofstra 25,021
  • JMU 38,428
  • Admitted
  • Hofstra 17,035
  • JMU 27,482
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Hofstra 68.1%
  • JMU 71.5%
  • Enrolled
  • 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
  • ACT Range
  • Hofstra 28/32
  • JMU 24/29
  • SAT Range
  • Hofstra 1230/1400
  • JMU 1170/1340
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Hofstra Test optional
  • JMU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Hofstra
  • JMU Jan 15, 2027

  • Academics

  • 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%)

  • Outcomes

  • 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

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Hofstra 40%
  • JMU 43%
  • % Women
  • Hofstra 60%
  • JMU 57%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Hofstra High
  • JMU Low
  • HBCU
  • Hofstra No
  • JMU No
  • % White
  • Hofstra 57%
  • JMU 76%
  • % Asian
  • Hofstra 9%
  • JMU 4%
  • % Black
  • Hofstra 8%
  • JMU 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • Hofstra 14%
  • JMU 6%
  • % Native American
  • Hofstra 0%
  • JMU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Hofstra 1%
  • JMU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Hofstra 2%
  • JMU 4%
  • % International
  • Hofstra 4%
  • JMU 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Hofstra 4%
  • JMU 3%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Hofstra 64%
  • JMU 69%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Hofstra 34%
  • JMU 30%

  • Campus

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

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 table 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.

Hofstra vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hofstra or JMU? 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 James Madison University than Hofstra ($18,856 vs. $35,792).
  • 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).
  • Hofstra University is 304.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than JMU (about $43,410 more per year; $57,660.00 vs. $14,250.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 82.4% higher at Hofstra than at James Madison University (about $26,056 more per year; $57,660.00 vs. $31,604.00).
  • 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).

Hofstra vs. JMU Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hofstra University (1320) is 60 points higher than at JMU (1260).
  • Incoming Hofstra students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 26 at JMU).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hofstra University 1230/1400; James Madison University 1170/1340.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hofstra University 28/32; James Madison University 24/29.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hofstra - Test optional; JMU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: JMU Jan 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Hofstra students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at JMU (3.57).
  • JMU has a higher acceptance rate (71.5%) than Hofstra (68.1%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Hofstra vs. 18.2% at JMU.

Hofstra vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hofstra and JMU? 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).

  • James Madison University's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than Hofstra University's (58%).
  • Graduates from James Madison University earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than Hofstra graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,300 vs. $59,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • 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 https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.