Hood vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

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

Norfolk State University is larger than Hood based on total student enrollment (6,053 students vs. 2,101 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hood College is located in Frederick, MD (Small City setting); Norfolk State University is in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Hood College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Norfolk State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hood College 10:1; Norfolk State University 15:1.

Hood vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hood or NSU? 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 Norfolk State University than Hood ($9,124 vs. $23,350).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Norfolk State University are 28.5% lower than at Hood College ($11,591 vs. $16,200).
• Hood College is 368.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $37,520 more per year; $47,700.00 vs. $10,180.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 120% higher at Hood than at Norfolk State University (about $26,018 more per year; $47,700.00 vs. $21,682.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hood College than at Norfolk State University (100% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hood College students is 152.1% larger than aid received by Norfolk State University students ($37,957 vs. $15,056).

Hood vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Hood or NSU? 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 NSU and Hood.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsNorfolk State University 823/1030.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsNorfolk State University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hood - Test-free; NSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Hood Aug 15, 2027; NSU May 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Hood students have a 0.51 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at NSU (2.9).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than Hood (77.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12% at Hood vs. 13.2% at NSU.

Hood vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hood and NSU? 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 Norfolk State University's (33%).
• Graduates from Hood College earn a median of about $10,600 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,300 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hood College graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($27,000 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Hood graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($279 vs. $320).
• More Hood graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 27%)

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.