Hood vs. Bluefield University

Comparable Facts

Compare Hood College in Frederick, MD with Bluefield University in Bluefield, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Hood College is larger than Bluefield University based on total student enrollment (2,101 students vs. 959 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hood College is located in Frederick, MD (Small City setting); Bluefield University is in Bluefield, VA (Remote Town setting).
• Hood College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bluefield University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hood College 10:1; Bluefield University 14:1.

Hood vs. Bluefield University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hood or Bluefield University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bluefield University than Hood ($22,216 vs. $23,350).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bluefield University are 41.5% lower than at Hood College ($9,480 vs. $16,200).
• Hood College is 78.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bluefield University (about $20,930 more per year; $47,700.00 vs. $26,770.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 78.2% higher at Hood than at Bluefield University (about $20,930 more per year; $47,700.00 vs. $26,770.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hood College than at Bluefield University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hood College students is 86.6% larger than aid received by Bluefield University students ($37,957 vs. $20,341).

Hood vs. Bluefield University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Hood or Bluefield University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Bluefield University and Hood.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hood - Test-free; Bluefield University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Hood Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Hood students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Bluefield University (3.31).
• Hood has a higher acceptance rate (77.8%) than Bluefield University (59.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12% at Hood vs. 18.5% at Bluefield University.

Hood vs. Bluefield University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hood and Bluefield University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Hood College's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Bluefield University's (36%).
• Graduates from Hood College earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than Bluefield University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,300 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bluefield University graduates have a $6,166 lower median loan debt than Hood graduates ($20,834 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Bluefield University graduates have an estimated $64 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hood graduates ($215 vs. $279).
• More Hood graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bluefield University students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 51%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.