Engineering Science at Hofstra University

Hofstra's Engineering Science program produces solid middle-class outcomes in a state where few engineering schools operate, but your child could likely do better at institutions with comparable or even less selective admissions. The $68,433 first-year earnings land at the state median but trail the national median by about $5,000—placing this program in just the 22nd percentile nationally. That's a meaningful gap when you consider that engineering degrees typically command stronger starting salaries.

The good news is the manageable debt load: at $27,000, it's well below national averages for engineering programs, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39 that shouldn't strain your child's budget. Earnings also grow reasonably to $78,657 by year four. However, the peculiar state context matters here—with only three Engineering Science programs in New York, you're looking at limited data, and Hofstra ranks exactly at the median of those three. This suggests the program is neither a standout nor a disaster within its immediate geographic market.

The core question is whether a 71% admission rate school should deliver 22nd percentile national earnings for an engineering degree. Many engineering programs at similarly accessible institutions achieve stronger outcomes. If your child has their heart set on Hofstra for location or fit reasons, the financial picture won't derail their future—but purely as an ROI decision, exploring alternatives makes sense before committing.