Hood College
Hood College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Hood College at a Glance
Hood College is a private college in Frederick, Maryland. It was established in 1893 by the Potomac Synod of the Reformed Church in the United States as a women's college. An all-female institution until 1971, the college initially admitted men only as commuters. This continued until 2003, when male students were extended the option of residential status.
1893
133 years old
$205M
$204.8 million (2024)
2,095
1,217 undergrad
120
50 acres
Identity
Is Hood College Worth It?
At a value score of 38/100, Hood College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $57,089 — 6% above average — while paying $20,873/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 56% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Hood College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Hood College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in MD
Ranked #81 of 223 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Christian Brothers University | 81 | $9,854 | $57,478 |
| #2 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #3 | Kalamazoo College | 68 | $19,072 | $65,590 |
| #4 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #5 | Canisius University | 58 | $17,940 | $60,681 |
| #6 | Clarkson College | 57 | $19,241 | $64,876 |
| #81 | Hood College | 38 | $20,873 | $57,089 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Hood College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 5 in MD.
Best Programs at Hood College
The highest-earning program at Hood College is Special Education and Teaching at $42,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is English Language and Literature, General at $16,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Special Education and Teaching graduate from Hood College earns $42,700, while a English Language and Literature, General graduate earns $16,200. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Special Education and Teaching graduates carry $25,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for English Language and Literature, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $20,873/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Special Education and Teaching | $42,700 | $42,700 | $25,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $33,000 | $33,000 | $26,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $28,700 | $28,700 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General | $21,000 | $21,000 | $27,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $16,200 | $16,200 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in MD
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Frederick, MD
- Student Body
- 1,194 students
- Admission Rate
- 78%
- Graduation Rate
- 56%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $20,873
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $57,089
- Median Student Debt
- $25,000