Hood vs. WVSU

Comparable Facts

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

West Virginia State University is larger than Hood based on total student enrollment (3,246 students vs. 2,101 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Hood vs. WVSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hood or WVSU? 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 West Virginia State University than Hood ($11,055 vs. $23,350).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Virginia State University are 16.5% lower than at Hood College ($13,522 vs. $16,200).
• Hood College is 398.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than WVSU (about $38,130 more per year; $47,700.00 vs. $9,570.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 218.2% higher at Hood than at West Virginia State University (about $32,710 more per year; $47,700.00 vs. $14,990.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hood College than at West Virginia State University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hood College students is 322.1% larger than aid received by West Virginia State University students ($37,957 vs. $8,993).

Hood vs. WVSU Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWest Virginia State University 760/1040.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWest Virginia State University 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hood - Test-free; WVSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Hood Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Hood students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at WVSU (3.24).
• WVSU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than Hood (77.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12% at Hood vs. 5.5% at WVSU.

Hood vs. WVSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hood and WVSU? 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 West Virginia State University's (25%).
• Graduates from Hood College earn a median of about $14,600 more per year than WVSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,300 vs. $32,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Virginia State University graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Hood graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WVSU graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hood graduates ($240 vs. $279).
• More Hood graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WVSU students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 35%)

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.