About Hood College
Hood College brings together 1,202 students in Frederick, Maryland, a small city setting that offers both college-town charm and proximity to major metropolitan areas. This liberal arts college began as a women's institution and has built particular strength in education, nursing, and the sciences. Women still make up 63.5% of the student body, reflecting the school's historical roots. The college maintains small class sizes with an 11:1 student-faculty ratio, allowing for personalized attention that larger universities cannot match.
Students pay an average net price of $23,707 after financial aid, below the sticker price of $45,870. Graduates earn a median of $57,089 ten years after graduation, making the typical debt load of $25,000 quite manageable. The monthly loan payment of $265 represents a reasonable investment given earning potential. About 63% of students take federal loans, but the 70% loan repayment rate suggests most graduates successfully manage their debt.
The college fields 27 varsity sports in NCAA Division III with 362 total athletes competing. The 55% six-year graduation rate may seem modest, but the 96.8% employment rate shows graduates find work quickly. Students represent a diverse community, with 52% white, 17% Black, and 15% Hispanic students creating a multicultural learning environment.
Students pay an average net price of $23,707 after financial aid, below the sticker price of $45,870. Graduates earn a median of $57,089 ten years after graduation, making the typical debt load of $25,000 quite manageable. The monthly loan payment of $265 represents a reasonable investment given earning potential. About 63% of students take federal loans, but the 70% loan repayment rate suggests most graduates successfully manage their debt.
The college fields 27 varsity sports in NCAA Division III with 362 total athletes competing. The 55% six-year graduation rate may seem modest, but the 96.8% employment rate shows graduates find work quickly. Students represent a diverse community, with 52% white, 17% Black, and 15% Hispanic students creating a multicultural learning environment.
Academics & Faculty
Hood College operates as a liberal arts institution with deep roots in education and nursing programs. The 11:1 student-faculty ratio ensures students receive personalized attention from professors who know their names. Around 58% of students graduate in four years, reflecting the supportive but challenging academic environment. The college built its reputation on teacher preparation programs that have produced educators throughout Maryland for over a century. Nursing students benefit from clinical partnerships with local hospitals in the greater Washington DC area. Science programs emphasize undergraduate research opportunities that larger universities typically reserve for graduate students. The small class sizes mean students regularly engage in seminar-style discussions rather than sitting through massive lecture halls.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 11:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 40.5%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 58.0%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 55.3%
- Retention Rate
- 80.3%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $57,089
- Carnegie Classification
- Master's University (Large)
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $74,576 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $71,255 |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | Master | $54,252 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $53,810 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Bachelor | $45,980 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $36,992 |
| Social Work. | Bachelor | $34,526 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $33,993 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | Bachelor | $29,685 |
| History. | Bachelor | $27,488 |
Campus Life
Hood College sits in Frederick, a historic city 45 minutes from both Baltimore and Washington, DC. Students enjoy easy access to internships and cultural opportunities in major metropolitan areas. The 50-acre campus houses 768 students in residence halls, meaning roughly two-thirds of the 1,202-student body lives on campus. Frederick's four-season climate requires both winter coats and spring sundresses.
The 63.48% female student body reflects Hood's origins as a women's college, though it's been coeducational since 1971. Students often gather in the Whitaker Campus Center or study in the renovated Beneficial-Hodson Library. Weekend activities include trips to nearby Sugarloaf Mountain for hiking or exploring Frederick's historic downtown with its antique shops and restaurants. The NCAA Division III athletics program fields 27 varsity sports with 362 total athletes, creating a strong campus sports culture without athletic scholarships. With a 11:1 student-faculty ratio, professors know students by name, and many undergraduates collaborate on research projects with faculty mentors.
The 63.48% female student body reflects Hood's origins as a women's college, though it's been coeducational since 1971. Students often gather in the Whitaker Campus Center or study in the renovated Beneficial-Hodson Library. Weekend activities include trips to nearby Sugarloaf Mountain for hiking or exploring Frederick's historic downtown with its antique shops and restaurants. The NCAA Division III athletics program fields 27 varsity sports with 362 total athletes, creating a strong campus sports culture without athletic scholarships. With a 11:1 student-faculty ratio, professors know students by name, and many undergraduates collaborate on research projects with faculty mentors.
- Setting
- City-Small
- Housing Capacity
- 768 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
Campus Safety (2023)
7 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dating Violence | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 22°–40°F
- July Avg
- 65°–87°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 85.3"
- Annual Snowfall
- 16.5"
Student Demographics
Hood College draws students who value personalized attention in a close-knit academic environment. Women make up nearly two-thirds of the student body, reflecting the school's historic mission and continued strength in education and nursing programs. The college serves a diverse population with significant Black and Hispanic enrollment alongside its white majority. Most students come from Maryland, showing Hood's strong regional reputation for preparing teachers, nurses, and other professionals. The substantial number of Pell Grant recipients demonstrates the college's commitment to making quality liberal arts education accessible to first-generation and lower-income students.
- Men
- 36.5%
- Women
- 63.5%
- White
- 51.8%
- Black
- 17.4%
- Hispanic
- 14.6%
- Asian
- 3.2%
- In-State Students
- 71.7%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 36.3%
Location
Hood College sits in Frederick, Maryland, about 45 miles northwest of Washington, D.C. The historic city of 72,000 residents offers a genuine college town atmosphere in the heart of Maryland's scenic countryside. Frederick's downtown features Civil War-era architecture, local restaurants, and cultural venues that create an intimate setting for the college's 1,202 students. The location provides easy access to both Baltimore and the nation's capital while maintaining small-city charm. Students can explore nearby Catoctin Mountain Park or take advantage of internship opportunities in the D.C. metro area. The 71.67% of students who come from in-state often appreciate staying close to home while experiencing college life. Students considering colleges in Maryland may also compare Hood College with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Frederick, Maryland 21701
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $57,089
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $61,197
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $37,500
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 70.1%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $265/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $25,000
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Hood College?
Hood College admits 77.87% of applicants. This liberal arts college in Frederick, Maryland has a moderately selective admissions process that makes it accessible to most qualified students.
How much does Hood College cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Hood College is $23,707, lower than the sticker price of $45,870. This former women's college provides institutional grants averaging $34,047 to about 27% of students.
What is the student-faculty ratio at Hood College?
Hood College maintains an 11:1 student-faculty ratio with just 1,202 enrolled students. The small class sizes support the college's focus on personalized education in fields like nursing, education, and the sciences.
What do Hood College graduates earn after graduation?
Hood College alumni earn a median of $57,089 ten years after graduation. The college boasts a 96.8% employment rate, reflecting strong career preparation in its core programs.
Where do most Hood College students come from?
About 72% of Hood College students are from Maryland, creating a strong regional presence. The student body is 63% women, reflecting the college's heritage as a women's institution until 1971.
Does Hood College offer athletic scholarships?
Hood College does not offer athletic scholarships as a NCAA Division III institution. The college fields 27 varsity sports with 362 student-athletes competing in the Middle Atlantic Conferences.
