Hood vs. WSSU

Comparable Facts

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

Winston Salem State University is larger than Hood based on total student enrollment (4,782 students vs. 2,101 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Hood vs. WSSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hood or WSSU? 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 Winston Salem State University than Hood ($12,989 vs. $23,350).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Winston Salem State University are 29.1% lower than at Hood College ($11,484 vs. $16,200).
• Hood College is 678.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSSU (about $41,574 more per year; $47,700.00 vs. $6,126.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 184.2% higher at Hood than at Winston Salem State University (about $30,918 more per year; $47,700.00 vs. $16,782.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hood College than at Winston Salem State University (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hood College students is 277.4% larger than aid received by Winston Salem State University students ($37,957 vs. $10,057).

Hood vs. WSSU Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWinston Salem State University 830/1020.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWinston Salem State University 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hood - Test-free; WSSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Hood Aug 15, 2027; WSSU Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Hood students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at WSSU (3.01).
• WSSU has a higher acceptance rate (78.3%) than Hood (77.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12% at Hood vs. 13.1% at WSSU.

Hood vs. WSSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hood and WSSU? 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 Winston Salem State University's (41%).
• Graduates from Hood College earn a median of about $11,600 more per year than WSSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,300 vs. $35,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Winston Salem State University graduates have a $1,337 lower median loan debt than Hood graduates ($25,663 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WSSU graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hood graduates ($265 vs. $279).
• More Hood graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSSU students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 33%)

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.