Hofstra vs Stony Brook
Hofstra University and Stony Brook University, both esteemed institutions on Long Island, offer distinct academic experiences for prospective students. Hofstra, a private university, boasts a lower acceptance rate and smaller student body, fostering a close-knit community feel. Stony Brook, a public research university, offers a wider range of academic programs, including highly regarded STEM fields, and attracts a more diverse student population. While Hofstra excels in business and communication, Stony Brook shines in engineering and computer science. Both universities offer strong career services and post-graduation opportunities, but Stony Brook's larger alumni network may provide an edge in certain industries. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover which university better aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Hofstra University |
![]() Stony Brook University |
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Overview |
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Location | Hempstead, New York | Stony Brook, New York |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 80.0% | 89.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 67.8% | 48.1% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$75
|
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$100
|
SAT range | 1180 - 1370 | 1300 - 1480 |
ACT range | 27 - 31 | 29 - 33 |
Students submitting SAT score | 37.0% | 37.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 8.0% | 6.0% |
Total number of applicants | 24,886 | 38,826 |
Total number of admissions given out | 16,862 | 18,659 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,659 | 3,416 |
Yield rate | 9.8% | 18.3% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $74,335 |
In state:
$34,187
Out of state:
$52,107
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Average net price | $33,234 | $16,445 |
Tuition | $48,315 |
In state:
$7,070
Out of state:
$24,990
|
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$11,627
Meal plan:
$5,800
|
Room/dormitory:
$9,908
Meal plan:
$5,590
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
98.0%
Average amount $30,045 |
73.0%
Average amount $10,370 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
47.0%
Average amount $5,287 |
37.0%
Average amount $4,942 |
Students taking out private loans |
8.0%
Average amount $24,091 |
3.0%
Average amount $15,080 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
6,050
Men 43.2% Women 56.8% |
17,999
Men 48.9% Women 51.1% |
Graduate students |
4,193
Men 35.9% Women 64.1% |
8,609
Men 42.1% Women 57.9% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
|
Moderate
|
Out-of-state students | 36.5% | 11.3% |
International students | 4.9% | 13.3% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 3,500 | 10,420 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | New York New Jersey Mississippi Pennsylvania Connecticut | New York New Jersey Connecticut Pennsylvania Mississippi |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 13:1 | 19:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 69.7% | 77.7% |
Dropout rate | 8.0% | 7.8% |
Transferred out | 21.9% | 13.4% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other (Master's Degrees)
Taxation (Master's Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Doctoral Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Engineering Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
Public Health (Master's Degrees)
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Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Dentistry (First Professional Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (First Professional Degrees)
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
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