Social Work at Hood College

Hood College's social work program shows a concerning pattern for a small but important reason: graduates earn notably less than peers across Maryland in their first year out—about $5,000 below the state median. That might not sound dramatic, but in a field where starting salaries cluster tightly, Hood sits near the bottom of Maryland's ten programs, earning less than graduates from schools like Frostburg State and Coppin State.

The upside is significant earnings growth. By year four, graduates reach $45,833—a 40% jump that brings them closer to parity with peers. That trajectory suggests the degree opens doors over time, even if the first job doesn't pay well. The debt load of $25,578 isn't outrageous (slightly below state averages), but paired with that $32,805 starting salary, it creates a tight first few years financially.

Here's the reality check: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so one or two outliers could skew everything. If your child is drawn to Hood for specific reasons—faculty mentorship, location in Frederick, smaller class sizes—the program might work. But purely as a financial investment in social work training, Maryland offers stronger options at similar or lower costs, particularly public universities where starting salaries run $5,000-$7,500 higher. The later earnings growth is encouraging, but those lean early years matter when you're managing loan payments on a social worker's salary.