How to get into Hofstra University
How to get into Hofstra: a mid-size private on Long Island with strong communications and pre-law pipelines
68.1%
Acceptance rate
$57,660
In-state cost
What makes Hofstra University admissions different
Hofstra University is a private university in Hempstead, New York — roughly 6,500 undergrads, with established programs in communications (the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication), business (the Frank G. Zarb School of Business), nursing, and pre-law. Hofstra admits around 68% of applicants. The school has a distinctive Long Island residential identity, regular hosting of presidential debates and major political events, and a substantial merit-aid pipeline that makes the published sticker price misleading for most admits.
What an actually competitive application looks like
- 1.
Apply through the Common App or Hofstra's direct application. Early Action is non-binding and gives the earliest decision plus best merit-scholarship consideration.
- 2.
Pick the right school. The Herbert School (communications), Zarb School (business), the School of Education, and the Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing each have their own program-specific framing.
- 3.
Apply to the Hofstra Honors College through its separate application. Honors students get smaller seminars, an honors curriculum, and dedicated advising.
- 4.
Write a Hofstra-specific supplement that names programs (Herbert School concentrations, Zarb's CFA pipeline, the Maurice A. Deane School of Law's 3+3 pathway for accelerated JD students, the Hofstra-Northwell pre-med pathway).
- 5.
Schedule a campus visit. Hofstra values demonstrated interest and the Long Island campus and proximity to NYC are part of the pitch.
- 6.
Apply for the Presidential, Provost, and named merit scholarships. Hofstra's merit aid is substantial and stacked with admission for early applicants.
Common mistakes that hurt applicants here
- ✕
Skipping Early Action and the priority scholarship consideration.
- ✕
Treating Hofstra as just an NYU or Fordham backup. The school has its own identity and specific strengths (communications, pre-law, the Hofstra-Northwell medical pipeline).
- ✕
Ignoring cost. Hofstra is full-sticker private but merit aid is meaningful — the net price after aid is typically dramatically lower than published sticker.
- ✕
Missing the Honors College application when the profile fits.
The specifics for Hofstra University
What makes this admissions process distinctive
Hofstra Honors College
A four-year honors track with smaller seminars, an honors thesis, and dedicated advising. Separate application required.
Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine pathway
Hofstra's partnership with Northwell Health (one of the largest health systems in the New York region) creates undergraduate research, clinical exposure, and a pipeline into the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra-Northwell.
Maurice A. Deane School of Law 3+3 pathway
An accelerated bachelor's-to-JD pathway allowing qualified undergraduates to enter Hofstra Law in their fourth year and complete the JD in six years total.
What graduates actually do
Hofstra graduates feed New York metro media, law, finance, and entertainment industries. The Lawrence Herbert School of Communication has produced a steady stream of broadcast and entertainment professionals, while the Maurice A. Deane School of Law and the Frank G. Zarb School of Business anchor placement in NYC's legal and financial sectors.
Notable alumni
- Susan Lucci — Acting (All My Children)
- Francis Ford Coppola — Filmmaking
- Jerry Seinfeld (attended briefly, transferred to Queens College) — Comedy/television
- Lana Del Rey — Music
- Madeline Kahn — Acting
Transfer pathway
Hofstra accepts transfers on a rolling basis. The university has articulation agreements with Nassau Community College and Suffolk County Community College — both major Long Island feeders — guaranteeing junior status for AA/AS graduates with 2.5+ GPA. Hofstra accepts up to 66 credits from two-year institutions.
Articulation partners
Nassau Community College · Suffolk County Community College · Queensborough Community College
Specifics verified 2026-05-18 from the school's own admissions page + Common App. Always confirm current-year details directly on the school site before applying.
If you're on the bubble
If you have a B+ transcript and an interest in communications, business, pre-law, or nursing in a Long Island residential setting with NYC access, Hofstra is a likely admit. Merit aid and the Honors College are the levers that change the cost calculation. EA is the cleanest move for committed applicants.
Next steps
Last updated: November 2025. Acceptance rate and cost data refreshed nightly from college reporting.