Hood vs. Salem University

Comparable Facts

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

Hood College is larger than Salem University based on total student enrollment (2,101 students vs. 1,083 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hood College is located in Frederick, MD (Small City setting); Salem University is in Salem, WV (Distant Rural setting).
• Hood College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Salem University is a private, for-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hood College 10:1; Salem University 19:1.

Hood vs. Salem University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hood or Salem 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 Salem University than Hood ($10,231 vs. $23,350).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem University are 48.1% lower than at Hood College ($8,400 vs. $16,200).
• Hood College is 300.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem University (about $35,800 more per year; $47,700.00 vs. $11,900.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 300.8% higher at Hood than at Salem University (about $35,800 more per year; $47,700.00 vs. $11,900.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Hood College as at Salem University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hood College students is 343% larger than aid received by Salem University students ($37,957 vs. $8,569).

Hood vs. Salem University Admissions comparison

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

• Salem University reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hood - Test-free; Salem University - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Hood Aug 15, 2027.

Hood vs. Salem University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hood and Salem 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 Salem University's (14%).
• Graduates from Hood College earn a median of about $13,700 more per year than Salem University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,300 vs. $33,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salem University graduates have a $382 lower median loan debt than Hood graduates ($26,618 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Salem University graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hood graduates ($275 vs. $279).
• More Hood graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem University 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.