At $23,707/yr net price, Hood College graduates earn $57,089/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $23,089/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $23,707 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $94,828 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $57,089/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$23,089/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 55.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $15,019/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $21,666/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $25,892/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $26,388/yr |
| $110,001+ | $27,254/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | $23,331 |
| Social Work. | Bachelor | $34,526 | $22,125 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $33,993 | |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | Bachelor | $29,685 | |
| History. | Bachelor | $27,488 |
The Risk Factor
55.3% of students at Hood College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Hood College sits in the middle on financial return. You pay about $24,000 a year net and earn a median of $57,089 ten years out, with debt around $25,000. That debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable, and the 80% retention rate and 55% graduation rate mean most people who start actually finish. The numbers work, but the margin is thin and depends heavily on what you study.
Your major matters more here than the school's average suggests. Computer Science graduates earn about $54,000, and Special Education teachers around $46,000, both solid against your likely debt. But Business Administration ($36,992), Social Work ($34,526), and Communication and Media Studies ($33,993) all land in the mid-$30,000s. Take on the typical $23,000 in debt for Business or Social Work and you carry loan payments on an income that barely clears entry-level. Frederick's proximity to the Baltimore-Washington corridor helps tech and teaching pay off. it does less for the lower-earning fields.
The specific risk is graduating in one of those sub-$40,000 majors with full debt and a starting salary that stalls repayment. Roughly 45% of students don't graduate in the measured window, and dropping out with debt and no degree is the worst outcome available.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families sharply. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $15,000 a year. between $48,000 and $75,000, that jumps to nearly $26,000, close to the full-price ceiling. The aid falls off fast in the middle. Hood is a reasonable financial fit if you target Computer Science or Special Education, or if you qualify for the lowest income tier. If you're a middle-income family aiming at Communication or Social Work, price out cheaper options first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hood College worth the cost?
Hood College graduates earn a median of $57,089 ten years after graduation, which is below average for the $23,707 annual net price. The 55% graduation rate and $25,000 median debt suggest mixed value, though business and education administration programs show stronger returns.
What Hood College programs have the best ROI?
Business Administration ($74,576 median earnings) and Educational Administration ($71,255) offer the strongest returns at Hood College. Computer Science and teaching programs show lower earnings despite decent job prospects in these fields.
How much debt do Hood College students typically graduate with?
Hood College graduates carry a median debt of $25,000, which is manageable compared to many private colleges. However, with only 55% of students graduating, debt without a degree becomes a real risk for nearly half of enrollees.
Does Hood College provide good financial aid?
Hood College's net price of $23,707 suggests decent financial aid for a private institution. The relatively low median debt indicates the school works to keep costs reasonable, though the poor graduation rate undermines the value proposition.