Hood vs. North Carolina Central University

Comparable Facts

Compare Hood College in Frederick, MD with North Carolina Central University in Durham, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

North Carolina Central University is larger than Hood based on total student enrollment (8,579 students vs. 2,101 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hood College is located in Frederick, MD (Small City setting); North Carolina Central University is in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Hood College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. North Carolina Central University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hood College 10:1; North Carolina Central University 16:1.

Hood vs. North Carolina Central University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hood or North Carolina Central 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 North Carolina Central University than Hood ($14,475 vs. $23,350).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Carolina Central University are 17% lower than at Hood College ($13,450 vs. $16,200).
• Hood College is 612% more expensive for in-state tuition than North Carolina Central University (about $41,001 more per year; $47,700.00 vs. $6,699.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 141.7% higher at Hood than at North Carolina Central University (about $27,965 more per year; $47,700.00 vs. $19,735.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hood College than at North Carolina Central University (100% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hood College students is 216.3% larger than aid received by North Carolina Central University students ($37,957 vs. $11,999).

Hood vs. North Carolina Central University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Hood or North Carolina Central University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between North Carolina Central University and Hood.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresNorth Carolina Central University 980/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresNorth Carolina Central University 17/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hood - Test-free; North Carolina Central University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Hood Aug 15, 2027; North Carolina Central University Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Hood students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at North Carolina Central University (3.27).
• North Carolina Central University has a higher acceptance rate (87%) than Hood (77.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12% at Hood vs. 11% at North Carolina Central University.

Hood vs. North Carolina Central University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hood and North Carolina Central University? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Hood College's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than North Carolina Central University's (38%).
• Graduates from Hood College earn a median of about $12,100 more per year than North Carolina Central University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,300 vs. $35,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hood College graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than North Carolina Central University graduates ($27,000 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Hood graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than North Carolina Central University graduates ($279 vs. $320).
• More Hood graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former North Carolina Central University students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 23%)

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.