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Hood College vs Washington College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Frederick MD · vs · Private nonprofit, Chestertown MD

The verdict

Washington College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $111,592 in 6.5 years versus 9.6 years at Hood College, on median earnings of $65,518 vs $57,089 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureHood CollegeWashington College
Net price / yr$20,873$27,898
Total net cost$83,492$111,592
Median earnings, 10 yrs$57,089$65,518
Median debt$25,000$26,956
Payback9.6 yrs6.5 yrs
20-year net return$91,088$231,568

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

Which is cheaper, Hood College or Washington College?

Hood College, at $20,873 a year after aid versus $27,898 — a gap of $7,025 a year, or $28,100 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 Washington College graduates earn more?

Washington College graduates report a median $65,518 ten years after entry, $8,429 more than the $57,089 at Hood 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 Washington College?

Hood College: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $26,956 at Washington College, a difference of $1,956. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

65% of students finish at Washington 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 Washington College: frequently asked questions

Is Hood College or Washington College a better value?
Washington College. It clears its $111,592 net cost in about 6.5 years versus 9.6 years at Hood College, on median earnings of $65,518 vs $57,089 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Hood College or Washington College?
Hood College: $20,873/yr net price after aid versus $27,898/yr at Washington College — a difference of $7,025 a year, or about $28,100 over four years.
Do Hood College or Washington College graduates earn more?
Washington College graduates earn a median $65,518 ten years after entry, versus $57,089 at Hood College — a $8,429 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.