Frostburg State University vs Hood College: which has better ROI?
Frostburg State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $66,860 in 9.4 years versus 9.6 years at Hood College, on median earnings of $55,493 vs $57,089 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Frostburg State University | Hood College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $16,715 | $20,873 |
| Total net cost | $66,860 | $83,492 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $55,493 | $57,089 |
| Median debt | $21,105 | $25,000 |
| Payback | 9.4 yrs | 9.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $75,800 | $91,088 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Frostburg State University or Hood College?
Frostburg State University, at $16,715 a year after aid versus $20,873 — a gap of $4,158 a year, or $16,632 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Frostburg State University or Hood College graduates earn more?
Hood College graduates report a median $57,089 ten years after entry, $1,596 more than the $55,493 at Frostburg State University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Frostburg State University or Hood College?
Frostburg State University: its completers carry a median $21,105 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Hood College, a difference of $3,895. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
57% of students finish at Hood College, against 50% at Frostburg State University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.