Montgomery College vs Hood College: which has better ROI?
Montgomery College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $16,054 in 8.9 years versus 9.6 years at Hood College, on median earnings of $50,159 vs $57,089 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Montgomery College | Hood College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $8,027 | $20,873 |
| Total net cost | $16,054 | $83,492 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $50,159 | $57,089 |
| Median debt | $10,415 | $25,000 |
| Payback | 8.9 yrs | 9.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $19,926 | $91,088 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Montgomery College or Hood College?
Montgomery College, at $8,027 a year after aid versus $20,873 — a gap of $12,846 a year, or $67,438 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Montgomery College or Hood College graduates earn more?
Hood College graduates report a median $57,089 ten years after entry, $6,930 more than the $50,159 at Montgomery 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, Montgomery College or Hood College?
Montgomery College: its completers carry a median $10,415 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Hood College, a difference of $14,585. 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 32% at Montgomery 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.