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Hood College vs St. John's College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Frederick MD · vs · Private nonprofit, Annapolis MD

The verdict

Hood College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $83,492 in 9.6 years versus 56.6 years at St. John's College, on median earnings of $57,089 vs $51,584 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureHood CollegeSt. John's College
Net price / yr$20,873$45,597
Total net cost$83,492$182,388
Median earnings, 10 yrs$57,089$51,584
Median debt$25,000$27,000
Payback9.6 yrs56.6 yrs
20-year net return$91,088-$117,908

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Hood College or St. John's College?

Hood College, at $20,873 a year after aid versus $45,597 — a gap of $24,724 a year, or $98,896 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Hood College or St. John's College graduates earn more?

Hood College graduates report a median $57,089 ten years after entry, $5,505 more than the $51,584 at St. John's College. 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, Hood College or St. John's College?

Hood College: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at St. John's College, a difference of $2,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

71% of students finish at St. John's College, against 57% at Hood College. 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.

Hood College vs St. John's College: frequently asked questions

Is Hood College or St. John's College a better value?
Hood College. It clears its $83,492 net cost in about 9.6 years versus 56.6 years at St. John's College, on median earnings of $57,089 vs $51,584 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Hood College or St. John's College?
Hood College: $20,873/yr net price after aid versus $45,597/yr at St. John's College — a difference of $24,724 a year, or about $98,896 over four years.
Do Hood College or St. John's College graduates earn more?
Hood College graduates earn a median $57,089 ten years after entry, versus $51,584 at St. John's College — a $5,505 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.