Hood vs. Bluefield State University

Comparable Facts

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

Hood College is larger than Bluefield State University based on total student enrollment (2,101 students vs. 1,141 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hood College is located in Frederick, MD (Small City setting); Bluefield State University is in Bluefield, WV (Rural Fringe setting).
• Hood College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bluefield State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hood College 10:1; Bluefield State University 13:1.

Hood vs. Bluefield State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hood or Bluefield State 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 State University than Hood ($15,814 vs. $23,350).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bluefield State University are 28.9% lower than at Hood College ($11,512 vs. $16,200).
• Hood College is 348% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bluefield State University (about $37,052 more per year; $47,700.00 vs. $10,648.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 159.6% higher at Hood than at Bluefield State University (about $29,324 more per year; $47,700.00 vs. $18,376.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hood College than at Bluefield State University (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hood College students is 286.8% larger than aid received by Bluefield State University students ($37,957 vs. $9,814).

Hood vs. Bluefield State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Hood or Bluefield State 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 State University and Hood.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBluefield State University 870/1080.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBluefield State University 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hood - Test-free; Bluefield State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Hood Aug 15, 2027; Bluefield State University Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Hood students have the same average high school GPA (3.41) as students at Bluefield State University (3.41).
• Bluefield State University has a higher acceptance rate (97.2%) than Hood (77.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12% at Hood vs. 32.8% at Bluefield State University.

Hood vs. Bluefield State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hood and Bluefield State 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 State University's (22%).
• Graduates from Hood College earn a median of about $15,500 more per year than Bluefield State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,300 vs. $31,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bluefield State University graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than Hood graduates ($19,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Bluefield State University graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hood graduates ($196 vs. $279).
• More Hood graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bluefield State University students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 30%)

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.