Howard vs. Hofstra

Comparable Facts

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

Howard University is larger than Hofstra based on total student enrollment (14,890 students vs. 10,685 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Howard vs. Hofstra Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard 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 Howard University than Hofstra ($33,368 vs. $35,792).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Howard University are 4.2% lower than at Hofstra University ($17,322 vs. $18,082).
• Hofstra University is 61% more expensive for in-state tuition than Howard (about $21,850 more per year; $57,660.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 61% higher at Hofstra than at Howard University (about $21,850 more per year; $57,660.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Howard University as at Hofstra University (99% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hofstra University students is 64.9% larger than aid received by Howard University students ($35,061 vs. $21,262).

Howard vs. Hofstra Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Howard 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 Howard.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hofstra University (1320) is 110 points higher than at Howard (1210).
• Incoming Hofstra students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 25 at Howard).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 1090/1320; Hofstra University 1230/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 22/28; Hofstra University 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; Hofstra - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Hofstra students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at Howard (3.66).
• Hofstra has a higher acceptance rate (68.1%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 10.3% at Hofstra.

Howard vs. Hofstra Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard 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).

• Howard University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Hofstra University's (58%).
• Graduates from Hofstra University earn a median of about $7,400 more per year than Howard graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,200 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hofstra University graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Howard graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Hofstra graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Howard graduates ($242 vs. $279).
• More Hofstra graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 33%)

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.