Founded in 1935, Hofstra University. is a Private college. Located in New York, which is a city setting in New York, the campus itself is Suburban. The campus is home to 6,899 full time undergraduate students, and 4,246 full time graduate students.
The Hofstra University Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 14:1. There are 489 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Hofstra University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.
Quick Facts
Acceptance Rate
62%
Application Deadline
Application Fee
70
SAT Range
1070-1260
ACT Range
24-29
Admissions at HU are considered Selective, with ,79% of all applicants being admitted.
In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 6 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.
87% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 56% were in the top quarter, and 25% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.
STUDENT LIFE Reviews
We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Hofstra University.
4%
“We”re apathetic”
19%
“We know about current events and vote”
62%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
16%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
7%
“We save it for the classroom”
29%
“Sometimes, but not often”
51%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
13%
“All the time, including weekends”
2%
“I”m always terrified”
13%
“I only go out in groups”
38%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
47%
“I feel extremely safe”
24%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
56%
“We bought the gear”
20%
“We live for the big game”
2%
“It”s not really our thing”
17%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
52%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
29%
“We”re a very artistic group”
3%
“Haven”t met them”
8%
“Available in class”
45%
“They keep regular office hours”
44%
“They”re always available”
2%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
31%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
59%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
7%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
2%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
14%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
49%
“We only party on weekends”
35%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
5%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
50%
“There might be people who do”
39%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
6%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
4%
“We”re apathetic”
19%
“We know about current events and vote”
62%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
16%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
7%
“We save it for the classroom”
29%
“Sometimes, but not often”
51%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
13%
“All the time, including weekends”
2%
“I”m always terrified”
13%
“I only go out in groups”
38%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
47%
“I feel extremely safe”
24%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
56%
“We bought the gear”
20%
“We live for the big game”
2%
“It”s not really our thing”
17%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
52%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
29%
“We”re a very artistic group”
3%
“Haven”t met them”
8%
“Available in class”
45%
“They keep regular office hours”
44%
“They”re always available”
2%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
31%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
59%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
7%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
189 Students rated on-campus housing 3.7 stars. 22 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate off-campus housing?
142 Students rated off-campus housing 3.1 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus food?
204 Students rated campus food 3.6 stars. 25 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus facilities?
206 Students rated campus facilities 4 stars. 34 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate class size?
206 Students rated class size 4.3 stars. 52 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate school activities?
205 Students rated school activities 4.1 stars. 39 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate local services?
206 Students rated local services 4 stars. 44 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate academics?
206 Students rated academics 3.7 stars. 31 % gave the school a 5.0.
Hofstra University REVIEWS
What's your overall opinion of Hofstra University?
75 Students rated Hofstra University
Cecilia
As a proud alumnus of Hofstra University, I can confidently say that my educational journey there was nothing short of exceptional. The quality of education I received was unparalleled, setting me up for success in my career endeavors. However, my post-graduation aspirations led me to explore master's degree programs, and to my surprise, I found many of them overlapping with what I had already learned during my undergraduate years. This speaks volumes about the advanced and career-focused curriculum that Hofstra offers, ensuring that students are well-prepared to enter the workforce directly after graduation.
One of the standout features of Hofstra University is its dedicated faculty members. Not only were they kind and approachable during my time as a student, but they continued to support and guide me even after graduation. They consistently went above and beyond, bringing in guest speakers, encouraging internships, and organizing enriching field trips to enhance our learning experiences. Even amidst the challenges of the Covid-19 lockdown, they seamlessly transitioned our education online without compromising its quality, a testament to their commitment to our academic growth.
Beyond academics, the campus environment at Hofstra was vibrant and inclusive. The variety of food options ensured that dining never became monotonous, and the dormitories, though aging, provided spacious and comfortable living arrangements. What truly stood out to me was the sense of community fostered on campus. Whether you were interested in sports, Greek life, or creating your own club, there was a place for everyone. This autonomy allowed me to tailor my college experience to my interests and passions, contributing to a fulfilling journey.
Of course, attending Hofstra University comes with a price tag, and it's important to make the most of your investment. Those who actively seize opportunities and engage in the plethora of offerings will find the experience invaluable. However, for students expecting a handout, the experience may fall short of expectations. Overall, my time at Hofstra University was transformative, providing me with not only an exceptional education but also a supportive community that empowered me to thrive.
Alexandra
I greatly enjoy my time at the school. The buildings look gorgeous. Their are brick buildings and modern buildings. The people are fun to talk to as well. The staff is friendly, and we have a lot of councilors who can help out with anything the students need. The websites are easy to navigate.
Norah
I think Hofstra is a good school, the professor is very helpful and they always have office hours if you need help. The class size are usually small which gives you more chance to talk to professors.Campus food is decent. The people on campus are usually nice.
Cassandra
I love Hofstra University. It was my top choice and I got in on an EA with a presidential scholarship. The school itself is so beautiful, it is a nationally recognized sculpture park and arboretum. It feels like you are going to school in an enchanted forest. All of the students are so nice too!
Jessie
It is alright, although there is not much to do for fun outside of weekly club meetings and a few hangouts. You have got to be able to entertain yourself and friends for the most part. Academic wise the school is good and class sizes are better than some other schools.
Brendan
Great School
Olivia
Hofstra is a great school and full of opportunities. I met people with the same mindset as me, as well as, personalities. The campus is big and clean especially during covid they cleaned numerous of times during the day making sure everyone felt safe to be on campus. With that being said there are patrol officers all around campus to ensure safety. Professors has helped me throughout my first year, breaking down any questions I have to a specific problem.
James
I have nothing good to say about this school. Professors are bigots and students are culturally obtuse. It comes with the Long Island territory. No one who cares about diversity is going to select this school. You will be treated differently if you are a non traditional student. Classes are insufferable. You have students asking the most ridiculous questions just so their professors will remember them for their recommendation letters. Every question they’ve asked has been answered in the textbooks. Just read. If you hate suck ups don’t come here. The classes are easy but that is why this school doesn’t have a good reputation so think about that if you are a premed. Their own med school doesn’t even accept students in the hofstra premed program.
Carlos
Yeh
Christina
The moment I step into Hofstra University I immediately fell in love. The campus is beautiful. The faculty and staff is wonderful and extremely nice and will always say hello to you. The teachers are always available to talk to and find time to help you when you need it. Class size is perfect for more student teacher interaction. There is always extracurricular activities going on and festivals on weekends. I absolutely love this school.
Bianca
I have a positive opinion of Hofstra. They genuinely care about having students pass their classes but also have a great understanding of what they are learning. The library is vast, offering many floors with quiet studying, private rooms, a small cafe in the library to energize us, along with computer rooms, and a floor for tutoring (free tutoring might I add). They have a wide variety of food ranging from sushi, pasta, salad/fruit bar, bakery, smoothie, and more. The diversity on campus is great, and the cleanliness is on par. Tables are usually clean, the trees and grass, even the statues are even kept up. You can tell Hofstra cares about the environment too by having recycled bins for glass, plastic, no straw policy. A lot of Hofstra Pride, students and family show up to games, or even to get lunch! They have their own salon and get students involved with constant flyers and etc.
Amani
I love Hofstra University, definitely my number one college choice. The environment, professors, and other students really make the campus feel like home. Plus its close enough to local transportation that leads into NYC for internships and more. Definitely recommend.
Bella
My problems with Hofstra started on day one and never ended in the 1.5 semesters I was there. I'm sorry I ever applied. I tell everyone I can to stay far away from this poor excuse for an academic institution. Heed my warning and save yourself the headache and frustration.
Hofstra and Zarb have a knack for providing false information or promises. Don't take anything they say during the open house at face value. I was told I'd be able to do an independent study during my interview, and when the time came they said no and didn't give any reason. They also advertised 10 elective classes on the website, but last semester they only offered one.
Most of my professors were incapable of conveying the material in a meaningful or digestible way, and some never made eye contact with the class throughout the whole semester. Five of the ten classes in my program were a complete waste of time.
If you have any complaints or want to vouch for your right to a decent education, the dean and department chairs will either ignore you or talk down to you until they think you will give up. I had an associate dean laugh in my face when I told him I wanted a better education. Use that information as you will.
Incompetence must be a job requirement for all Hofstra employees. Most faculty and administration either talk down to you, tell you they'll do something or follow up with you and don't, or ignore your emails and phone calls completely. I've seen this behavior from Zarb, financial aid, housing, registrar, and HR. You would think that at least financial aid would be more careful since they're dealing with people's money. Nope. I had to watch them like a hawk and correct their same mistakes over and over again.
The area is also very unsafe. The first week of my first semester there were TWO reported gun-point break-ins and robberies. Just visit Hempstead and you'll see what I'm talking about.
Zahra
At Hofstra you will have unlimited open doors for reality, hands-on learning.
Your educators won't just show you ideas and hypotheses, however they will likewise show you how to apply what you are realizing so you can step out of the homeroom and have a constructive outcome on your general surroundings. You will turn out to be a piece of an affectionate network that offers a worldwide reach. You will encounter societies through your friends who originate from 47 states and 81 nations. So when the opportunity arrives for those exceptionally significant temporary job encounters, you'll have the information you need; tutors in the researchers and experts who show you; introduction to different societies and individuals, and experience through clubs, grounds sorting out, network administration, and externship and profession prep activities. Understudy in the late spring, or during the school year — or even both. Numerous Hofstra understudies do different temporary jobs – in light of the fact that they can and on the grounds that they are prepared. You can change the world. You have all that you need.
Athena
If you are looking for a college experience that includes small class sizes, an array of clubs and a strong Liberal Arts Program, attend Hofstra University. It definitely feels as though the academic and career center staff care about their students and they are committed to giving resources to help further your education. In some cases the school is lacking, for example, many commuter students complain that not enough is done for them to feel as though they are an integral part of the community. Additionally, diversity is lacking. As a black female on campus, there are many instances where I feel seen but not heard. Small classes are definitely an advantage because you can connect with students in your area of study as well as have a more intimate relationship with your professors. The facilities are great, and over all Hofstra is a pretty good Liberal Arts School.
The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Hofstra University is 62%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020, _____ students were offered admission.
What should every freshman at your school know before they start?
I would tell myself to really get my priorities straight when coming to college. Sometimes you have to miss out on social events so that you get your homework done. I would also tell myself that it is okay to be different. I am a dance major, and despite what people say about it being an easy major with less work, you know how much hard work it takes to do well. Never give up. Plan your time well and don't spend your savings all in the first semester.; manage your money well. You will want to feel independent; and having to ask for money all the time from your parents is not what will make you independent.
All I can say is don't Hofstra seems appealing with it being so close to NYC, but that's really the only good thing. I majored in drama, and half the professors were educated at Hofstra! No one in any department knew what they were talking about and they told us if anyone came up to ask why the tuition was so high we should avoid the question. The so called "BFA" program is a scam, and without it you're basically paying 60k for no major. The kids who had gotten in came out with no connections, about the same education that AMDA could give you (except 50k cheaper) and a school that looks the other way when you ask why you don't have a job. It says a lot when someone transfers to a community college just to get out of the trap that is Hofstra. The food is awful and the amount of times people found bugs in their food was too many to count. Hofstra is located in the lovely town of Hempstead, known for its gangs and high crime rate. My first year I got three emails a week telling us to travel in groups because there had been students mugged walking back from parties. The school totes their proximity to NYC as a feature yet sets a time limit on the shuttle that takes you to the nearest train station, saying that after a certain time it's too dangerous for them to come, and if you find yourself stuck there then you better know someone with a car. Even the attendance policy, which varies per major, is insane. If you find yourself in the hospital, or just sick, then you better show up to class with an IV because if you're absent more than 2 times they drop your grade and recommend you drop the class. If I could give this school 0 stars I would. If you're even thinking of attending simply because you didn't get in anywhere else (like the majority of people who go to Hofstra, it's a 'well I didn't get into my top choice but this will do' school), I implore you to look elsewhere. I didn't do well my first semester of freshman year due to my family moving and it being a new environment. As a result I lost my scholarship, but when I tried to explain that I was simply getting used to being alone and not having any family close they told me that it didn't matter and that I could appeal again next year. They rope you in by showing you the gym, which is about the only thing they'll spend money on, and have the student guides, who are paid to lie (I know because I went to the training to be one, but when I was told about the questions to avoid: tuition, do people drink/ do drugs). The dorms are small and packed (they have 4 people to a room the size of a normal dorm, they call it a quad). There's so much to say about why this school is terrible, but I'll leave it at a simple DON'T. Don't go, no matter how appealing it sounds, it's not.
Is the stereotype of students at your school accurate?
As far as my experience goes, not at all. Most of my interactions have been with other music majors, but almost everyone I have met has been smart, busy, hardworking, and interesting. If you can find your niche at Hofstra (and it's not too hard to do... the school isn't that big), you'll find some great people who know what they want out of life. The only people who really complain about the other students are those who seem to make a concious effort to be unhappy, though I suppose Long Island might take some getting used to if you're from out of state.
As far as the STDs go, I have a boyfriend, so I really wouldn't know.
Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!
Hofstra University is a very competitive school.What i experienced in Hofstra as a transfer student is that the school is designed to aim for the best not better.In my previous school, i always had atleast couple A's but it is very hard to do so in Hofstra. The school is really challenging and in order to be successful in such school, you need to spend the most time you have to study.
What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?
The worst thing about Hofstra University is that they do not help students to find a variety of financial resources to help them pay their tuition. They quickly advise students without reviewing their financial history to constantly take out loans. Aside from lack of financial advice, they are very limited with their departments. My biology courses were mostly marine biology based and not pre-dental biology as my focus.
What kind of person should not attend this school?
I believe anyone can attend Hofstra but I certainly wouldn't recommend someone to come here if it is only because they live around the corner or because they do not know what they want to do with their life and Hofstra conveniently accepted them.
What's the most frustrating thing about your school?
The most frustrating this about Hofstra is that everyone goes home on the weekends and there isn't much to do. I usually go to the city with friends but that gets expensive after a while.
What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?
When people first hear I go to school on Long Island, they typically conjure up bad accents, Jersey shore wannabes, and bad fake tans. And rest assured, we have our fair share of those. However, the majority of the population doesn't fit this mold, as varied as any other campus in it's types of people. I can't say I was immune to this stereotype when I first chose to go to Hofstra either. I was a little frightened, coming from the pasty state of Colorado, that I would arrive into a sea of orange skinned, tall haired, Snookie idolizers. My friends, my family, and even one of my teachers--who actually said to me on the last day "now don't go get all long island on me"--taunted me that I was going to go away and come back with a lahhhng iiisland accent and a new, more florescent skin tone. However, the guido/guidette population here is at a minimum, most people are normal kids, and the closest most of my fellow students have gotten to the Jersey Shore is through their televisions on Thursday nights. While there is the occasional Snookie poof or lahng island vernacular, for the most part the population of our campus is the same as any other college campus, and I can proudly go home to Colorado as a proud non-sterotypical Long Islander.
Sports are popular to some extent. Basketball games are pretty big and there are a few other really good programs on campus like wrestling, roller hockey, baseball, cheerleading and dance. There's almost always some kind of game to attend if you are a big sports fan. Keep up with the schedule and you're bound to find something going on.
All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA.
Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.
97% of students attending Hofstra University receive some sort of financial aid.
21% were awarded federal grants.54%received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.