Students at Hood College consistently earn more than similar students at other institutions, reflecting the college's ability to deliver meaningful economic value through personalized education and career preparation.
The institution's combination of strong access for diverse students and above-average earnings outcomes makes it a genuine mobility engine in higher education.
Hood College ranks as a solid choice among small private colleges, delivering above-average long-term earnings outcomes while maintaining strong access for students from diverse economic backgrounds. Located in Frederick, Maryland, this small liberal arts institution serves a notably diverse student body, with 36% of students receiving Pell Grants and 31% being first-generation college students. Despite its modest size, Hood consistently helps students achieve meaningful economic progress after graduation.
Graduates earn a median of $57,089 ten years after enrollment, placing the college in the 66th percentile nationally for earnings outcomes. What makes Hood particularly noteworthy is its ability to deliver earnings that exceed expectations by nearly $2,754 compared with similar students at other institutions. This earnings advantage reflects the college's focus on practical, career-oriented education within a supportive liberal arts framework.
As a designated "Mobility Engine," Hood College successfully combines broad access with strong upward mobility outcomes. The institution's 66% completion rate at eight years, combined with solid post-graduation earnings, demonstrates its effectiveness at supporting students from various backgrounds through to successful career launches. For families seeking a small college experience that doesn't sacrifice financial outcomes, Hood offers an appealing balance of personal attention and economic opportunity.
Hood College's program portfolio reflects its focus on practical, career-oriented education within a liberal arts framework. Business Administration and Management stands out as the college's flagship program, graduating 35 students annually with strong aggregate returns of nearly $1.3 million. While early-career earnings for business majors average around $36,992, the program's high aggregate return reflects both solid enrollment and strong long-term earning potential as graduates advance in their careers.
The college's small size allows for personalized attention across all programs, with faculty able to provide individualized mentorship and career guidance that larger institutions cannot match. This personalized approach helps explain why Hood graduates consistently earn more than expected compared with similar students at other institutions, regardless of their chosen field of study.
Hood's location in Frederick, Maryland, provides strategic advantages for career development, offering access to both the Washington D.C. metropolitan job market and Baltimore's professional opportunities. The college leverages these regional connections to create internship opportunities and job placement networks that benefit students across all academic programs, contributing to the institution's strong track record of launching graduates into successful careers.
Hood College graduates achieve solid long-term financial outcomes that consistently exceed expectations. Ten years after enrollment, they earn a median of $57,089, placing the institution in the 66th percentile nationally for earnings performance. More importantly, graduates earn nearly $2,754 more than similar students at comparable institutions, demonstrating the college's ability to add meaningful value to students' career trajectories through its focused academic programs and strong alumni networks.
The college's strongest financial returns come from its business programs, particularly Business Administration and Management, which graduates 35 students annually with median early-career earnings around $36,992. While this represents early-career figures, the program's high aggregate return of nearly $1.3 million reflects both solid enrollment and strong long-term earning potential. Hood's small size allows for personalized career guidance and close faculty mentorship, which helps explain why graduates consistently outperform earnings expectations across various fields of study.
The college's location in Frederick, Maryland, provides graduates access to the broader Washington D.C. metropolitan job market while maintaining lower living costs than the urban core. This geographic advantage, combined with Hood's emphasis on practical skills and professional preparation, helps explain why 270 graduates currently earn more than $75,000 annually, demonstrating the institution's ability to launch students into well-paying careers despite its modest scale.
Hood College presents a mixed affordability picture that varies significantly by family income level. Low-income students pay approximately $15,019 annually in net price, which represents strong value for a private college education. Middle-income families face higher costs at around $25,892 per year, while high-income families pay about $27,254 annually. These net prices reflect Hood's commitment to making private education accessible, particularly for students from lower-income backgrounds who benefit from substantial financial aid packages.
Debt levels at Hood are manageable relative to the institution's strong earnings outcomes. Typical graduates leave with about $25,000 in federal student loan debt, while families who choose Parent PLUS loans borrow an average of $20,291. With graduates earning a median of $57,089 ten years out, most borrowers can comfortably handle standard repayment schedules. The college's 0% federal loan default rate indicates that graduates successfully manage their debt obligations, reflecting both reasonable borrowing levels and solid post-graduation employment outcomes.
What makes Hood's affordability story particularly compelling is the strong return on investment for students who do borrow. The combination of reasonable debt levels, above-average earnings, and earnings that exceed expectations means that most graduates see their education pay off financially within a reasonable timeframe. The college's focus on career preparation and professional networking helps ensure that the investment in a Hood education translates into tangible economic benefits for graduates.
Hood College Hub Overview
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