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Hofstra University — ROI, Cost & Payback

Private nonprofit · Hempstead, NY · 6,488 students

The verdict

Hofstra University charges a net price of $34,176/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $136,704. Graduates earn a median $69,039 ten years after entry, $20,679/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 6.6 years — a 20-year net return of $276,876, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Hofstra University's 6.6-year payback ranks #582 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 55% of them, and #68 of 203 in New York.

Better ROI than 55% of US colleges#582 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$34,176
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$69,039
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
6.6 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
68%
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
Hofstra University: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$34,176/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$136,704our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$69,039Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$20,679/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$23,621Scorecard, 2026
Payback6.6 yrsour math
20-year net return$276,876our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

How we compute this. Payback = total net cost ÷ annual earnings premium, where the premium is median earnings 10 years after entry minus the $48,360 baseline (BLS 2024 median for a high-school-diploma worker 25+). Total net cost = net price × 4 years. We do not discount future dollars. The institution-wide earnings figure blends every major — a specific program's payback can be far better or worse. Full method on the methodology page.

Hofstra University: frequently asked questions

Is Hofstra University worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. Hofstra University charges $34,176/yr after aid ($136,704 over 4 years), and graduates earn a median $69,039 ten years out — $20,679/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 6.6 years and returns $276,876 net over 20 years, a solid payback.
How long does a Hofstra University degree take to pay off?
About 6.6 years. We divide the $136,704 four-year net cost by the $20,679/yr earnings premium over the high-school baseline. It is a floor, not a ceiling — mid-career raises pay it back faster.
How much does Hofstra University cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $34,176/yr — about $136,704 over 4 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does Hofstra University compare to other New York colleges?
It ranks #68 of 203 New York colleges we track by payback. Its $69,039 median earnings beat the national median of $43,552, and its $34,176 net price is above the national median of $16,906.