Hofstra vs. Syracuse

Deciding between Hofstra University and Syracuse 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
Syracuse University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Hofstra Hempstead, NY
  • Syracuse Syracuse, NY
  • Setting
  • Hofstra Large Suburban
  • Syracuse Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Hofstra 10,685
  • Syracuse 22,589
  • Type
  • Hofstra Private 4 Year
  • Syracuse Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Hofstra #194
  • Syracuse #158
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Hofstra -
  • Syracuse -
  • Status
  • Hofstra Non-profit
  • Syracuse Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Hofstra
  • Syracuse

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Hofstra $57,660
  • Syracuse $65,528
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Hofstra $57,660
  • Syracuse $65,528
  • Room & Board
  • Hofstra $18,082
  • Syracuse $19,188
  • Average Net Price
  • Hofstra $35,792
  • Syracuse $48,215
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Hofstra $35,061
  • Syracuse $36,417
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Hofstra 99%
  • Syracuse 76%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Hofstra 25,021
  • Syracuse 44,480
  • Admitted
  • Hofstra 17,035
  • Syracuse 20,427
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Hofstra 68.1%
  • Syracuse 45.9%
  • Enrolled
  • Hofstra 10.3%
  • Syracuse 18.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Hofstra 1320
  • Syracuse 1360
  • Typical ACT score
  • Hofstra 30
  • Syracuse 30
  • Average High School GPA
  • Hofstra 3.74
  • Syracuse 3.69
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Hofstra A-
  • Syracuse A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Hofstra Very High
  • Syracuse Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • Hofstra Low
  • Syracuse Low
  • ACT Range
  • Hofstra 28/32
  • Syracuse 29/32
  • SAT Range
  • Hofstra 1230/1400
  • Syracuse 1270/1440
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Hofstra Test optional
  • Syracuse Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Hofstra
  • Syracuse Jan 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Hofstra 13:1
  • Syracuse 15:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Hofstra
    • Business (30%)
    • Communication (16%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Syracuse
    • Business (18%)
    • Communication (17%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • Psychology (5%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Hofstra 58%
  • Syracuse 80%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Hofstra $59,200
  • Syracuse $65,900
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Hofstra 72%
  • Syracuse 80%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Hofstra $23,500
  • Syracuse $27,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Hofstra $242
  • Syracuse $279

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Hofstra 40%
  • Syracuse 44%
  • % Women
  • Hofstra 60%
  • Syracuse 56%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Hofstra High
  • Syracuse High
  • HBCU
  • Hofstra No
  • Syracuse No
  • % White
  • Hofstra 57%
  • Syracuse 55%
  • % Asian
  • Hofstra 9%
  • Syracuse 8%
  • % Black
  • Hofstra 8%
  • Syracuse 8%
  • % Hispanic
  • Hofstra 14%
  • Syracuse 11%
  • % Native American
  • Hofstra 0%
  • Syracuse 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Hofstra 1%
  • Syracuse 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Hofstra 2%
  • Syracuse 3%
  • % International
  • Hofstra 4%
  • Syracuse 12%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Hofstra 4%
  • Syracuse 2%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Hofstra 64%
  • Syracuse 31%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Hofstra 34%
  • Syracuse 63%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

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

Syracuse University is larger than Hofstra based on total student enrollment (22,589 students vs. 10,685 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Hofstra University is located in Hempstead, NY (Large Suburban setting); Syracuse University is in Syracuse, NY (Midsize City setting).
  • Hofstra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Syracuse University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Hofstra University 13:1; Syracuse University 15:1.

Hofstra vs. Syracuse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hofstra or Syracuse? 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 Syracuse ($35,792 vs. $48,215).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hofstra University are 5.8% lower than at Syracuse University ($18,082 vs. $19,188).
  • Syracuse University is 13.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Hofstra (about $7,868 more per year; $65,528.00 vs. $57,660.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 13.6% higher at Syracuse than at Hofstra University (about $7,868 more per year; $65,528.00 vs. $57,660.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hofstra University than at Syracuse University (99% vs. 76%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Syracuse University students is 3.9% larger than aid received by Hofstra University students ($36,417 vs. $35,061).

Hofstra vs. Syracuse Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Syracuse University (1360) is 40 points higher than at Hofstra (1320).
  • Incoming Hofstra students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 30) as students at Syracuse (30).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hofstra University 1230/1400; Syracuse University 1270/1440.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hofstra University 28/32; Syracuse University 29/32.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hofstra - Test optional; Syracuse - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Syracuse Jan 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Hofstra students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at Syracuse (3.69).
  • Hofstra has a higher acceptance rate (68.1%) than Syracuse (45.9%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Hofstra vs. 18.8% at Syracuse.

Hofstra vs. Syracuse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hofstra and Syracuse? 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).

  • Syracuse University's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than Hofstra University's (58%).
  • Graduates from Syracuse University earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than Hofstra graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,900 vs. $59,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Hofstra University graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Syracuse graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Hofstra graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Syracuse graduates ($242 vs. $279).
  • More Syracuse 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.