Hofstra University (International Student Information)

A Private University with International Distinction

Hofstra University is a top-ranked private institution located on Long Island, NY. The University has a long tradition of welcoming international students to the campus. Located just 40 kilometers east of New York City - the "capital of the world" - Hofstra promotes a multicultural learning experience both on and off campus. International students at Hofstra benefit from the American system of higher education on a private, suburban campus that is rich in culture.

Hofstra currently enrolls more than 1,000 international students who come from 81 countries. Undergraduate students can choose from more than 160 program options. The University also offers more than 100 dual-degree programs, which allow students to earn both an undergraduate and graduate degree in less time than if each degree was pursued separately, saving students the cost of one or more semesters of tuition. 

With undergraduate class sizes that average only 21 students and a student-to-faculty ratio of 13-to-1, students are not just faces in the crowd. Students receive individual attention from professors and advisors alike. And as students pursue their course of study, they can participate in New York City-based internships at prestigious companies such as ABC, Fox News, IBM, JPMorgan Chase, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Disney, and Sony. Students can take in all that the city has to offer: Broadway shows, concerts, arts, museums, opera, ballet, festivals, and shopping.

Colleges and Schools

Hofstra University comprises the following schools and colleges: Hofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, (Peter S. Kalikow School of Government, Public Policy and International Affairs, School of Education, School of Humanities, Fine and Performing Arts, School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics); Honors College; Frank G. Zarb School of Business; The Lawrence Herbert School of Communication; Fred DeMatteis School of Engineering and Applied Science; The School of Health Professions and Human Services; Maurice A. Deane School of Law; Hofstra Northwell School of Graduate Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies, and the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell.

Award-Winning Faculty

Hofstra University has 1,236 faculty members, of whom 493 are full-time. Hofstra professors - 91 percent of whom have attained the highest degree possible in their fields - come from around the globe. They are Fulbright scholars; Guggenheim Fellows; Emmy Award winners; and recipients of National Endowment for the Humanities, National Science Foundation, and National Institutes for Health awards.

A Vibrant Campus

International students quickly and easily settle into their home away from home. The 98-hectare campus offers 35 residence halls, some of which are living/learning communities wherein students are grouped according to their majors or interests. There are 18 eateries on campus, 17 research centers, six theaters, a museum with two art galleries, a state-of-the-art fitness center, an Olympic-sized pool, and a 10-floor library that has more than one million volumes and provides continuous digital access to more than 100,000 full-text journals and 200,000 electronic books. The University hosts hundreds of cultural and social events each year, and is the only university chosen to host three consecutive U.S. presidential debates (2008, 2012, and 2016). And students can immerse themselves in campus life by joining any of Hofstra's 200+ student organizations, which include several clubs with specific international and multicultural themes.

Hofstra University further enhances the college experience for its international students through International Student Affairs. The office provides a variety of programs and services to meet the unique needs of the international student population. The University encourages international students to make the office one of their "homes away from home." Here, students will receive comprehensive immigration status support and learn about programs that advise on travel outside the United States and authorization paperwork for employment during their studies and post-graduation. International Student Affairs also hosts International Student Orientation, which provides new international students with information on immigration, academic requirements, and required health insurance, as well as the numerous other services and resources available at Hofstra.

Top-Ranked Athletics

Hofstra is home to 17 intercollegiate sports that compete at the NCAA Division I level in the Colonial Athletic Association: men's and women's basketball, cross-country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, and tennis; men's baseball and wrestling; and women's field hockey, softball, and volleyball. The University also has a comprehensive intramural sports program that welcomes students of all skill levels.