Business Administration, Management and Operations at Hood College

Hood College's business program faces stiff in-state competition, landing in the 40th percentile among Maryland schools—roughly $4,000 below the state median of $51,562 and significantly trailing powerhouses like UMD-College Park ($65,842) and even regional competitors like Towson ($54,772). This matters because Maryland families often weigh in-state options carefully, and while Hood beats the national median, that's cold comfort when closer alternatives deliver notably stronger returns.

The $24,715 debt load is manageable—producing a healthy 0.52 debt-to-earnings ratio and tracking slightly below both state and national debt benchmarks. Graduates see respectable 13% earnings growth by year four, reaching $53,801, which suggests decent career progression even if the starting point lags. For students committed to Hood's smaller liberal arts environment (78% admission rate, 36% Pell-eligible population), these outcomes won't derail financial stability.

The question is whether Hood's particular campus experience justifies the earnings gap. If your child values the intimate setting and would thrive there specifically, the debt burden won't be crushing. But if business education is the primary draw and Maryland residency makes flagship or larger state schools accessible, those programs deliver materially better financial outcomes. This isn't a cautionary tale—it's a choice between acceptable returns and stronger ones available nearby.