St. Mary's College of Maryland vs Hood College

St. Mary's College of Maryland and Hood College, both esteemed institutions in Maryland, offer distinct educational experiences. St. Mary's, a public liberal arts college, boasts a higher acceptance rate (75%) compared to Hood's (67%). St. Mary's student body is more diverse, with a larger international student population. Hood, a private liberal arts college, excels in nursing, while St. Mary's is known for its strong marine science and environmental studies programs. Both colleges offer a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs, but Hood has a slightly higher graduation rate (63%) than St. Mary's (60%). Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more key differences and make an informed decision about which college aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Hood College	St. Mary's College of Maryland
Overview
Location	Frederick, Maryland	St. Mary's City, Maryland
Campus setting	City: Small	Suburb: Small
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	72.0%	85.0%
Common app member	Yes	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	76.8%	77.3%
Application fees	$50	$50
SAT range	N/A	1135 - 1340
ACT range	N/A	26 - 32
Students submitting SAT score		24.0%
Students submitting ACT score		5.0%
Total number of applicants	3,192	2,872
Total number of admissions given out	2,451	2,221
Admitted students who chose to enroll	324	381
Yield rate	13.2%	17.2%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Not required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$60,372	In state: $31,361 Out of state: $47,437
Average net price	$23,755	$20,213
Tuition	$42,510	In state: $12,116 Out of state: $28,192
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $6,600 Meal plan: $6,600	Room/dormitory: $8,007 Meal plan: $6,340
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	100.0% Average amount $32,724	98.0% Average amount $10,828
Students receiving federal student loan	67.0% Average amount $5,419	39.0% Average amount $5,108
Students taking out private loans	11.0% Average amount $14,022	5.0% Average amount $17,506

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	1,217 Men 35.7% Women 64.3%	1,519 Men 42.3% Women 57.7%
Graduate students	878 Men 30.9% Women 69.1%	25 Men 24.0% Women 76.0%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	N/A	11.3%
International students	4.4%	0.8%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	Suburb: Small
Dormitory capacity	870	1,499
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	N/A	Maryland Virginia District of Columbia California Connecticut

Academics
Popular study areas	Education Computer and Information Science Biological and Biomedical Sciences Business Health Professions	Education Natural Resources and Conservation Social Sciences Visual & Performing Arts Foreign Languages and Literatures
Students to faculty ratio	10:1	10:1
Institutional accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	66.0%	72.8%
Dropout rate	3.9%	3.6%
Transferred out	29.3%	23.2%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $68,611 Year 2: $71,255 Year 3: $79,885 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $61,295 Year 2: $74,576 Year 3: $79,770 Curriculum and Instruction (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $50,636 Year 2: $54,252 Year 3: $59,633 Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $34,789 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $51,197 Special Education and Teaching (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $41,433 Year 2: $45,980 Year 3: $47,940 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $41,936 Year 2: $36,992 Year 3: $42,399 History (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $27,488 Year 3: $39,642 Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $27,391 Year 2: $33,993 Year 3: $37,674 Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $32,281 Year 2: $21,234 Year 3: $27,964 Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $29,685 Year 3: N/A	Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,972 Year 2: $59,124 Year 3: $72,028 Public Policy Analysis (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $39,648 Year 3: $54,648 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $43,905 Year 2: $41,565 Year 3: $53,332 Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $31,038 Year 3: $46,779 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $35,826 Year 2: $31,314 Year 3: $46,198 Sociology (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $41,641 Year 2: $31,839 Year 3: $43,570 English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $29,544 Year 2: $33,281 Year 3: $43,517 History (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $18,605 Year 2: $21,052 Year 3: $41,146 Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $31,570 Year 2: $26,121 Year 3: $38,497 Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $28,686 Year 2: $29,322 Year 3: $34,144

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between St. Mary's College of Maryland and Hood College?

St. Mary's College of Maryland is a public liberal arts honors college, known for its rigorous academics and small, intimate learning environment. Hood College, on the other hand, is a private liberal arts college with a stronger emphasis on career-oriented programs and graduate studies. St. Mary's is located in a rural, waterfront setting, while Hood is situated in a more urban environment in Frederick, Maryland. Another key difference is that St. Mary's is a public institution, which can impact tuition costs for in-state students.
Which college is more selective: St. Mary's College of Maryland or Hood College?

St. Mary's College of Maryland generally has a slightly higher selectivity rate than Hood College. This means that St. Mary's typically admits a smaller percentage of applicants compared to Hood. However, both colleges maintain solid academic standards for admission.
How do the academic programs at St. Mary's College of Maryland and Hood College compare?

Both colleges offer a range of undergraduate programs in the liberal arts and sciences. St. Mary's College of Maryland is particularly strong in its history, political science, and natural science programs, emphasizing a broad, interdisciplinary approach. Hood College offers a wider array of career-focused programs, including business, education, and nursing, and also has a graduate school offering master's degrees in various fields. Consider your specific academic interests and career goals when evaluating the programs at each institution.
What is the campus environment like at St. Mary's College of Maryland versus Hood College?

St. Mary's College of Maryland offers a close-knit, residential campus experience in a scenic, rural setting on the St. Mary's River. The campus culture is known for its strong sense of community and emphasis on student engagement. Hood College, located in Frederick, Maryland, provides a more urban campus environment with easy access to city amenities and internship opportunities. While Hood also has a strong sense of community, its location offers a different type of campus experience.
How do the costs of attending St. Mary's College of Maryland and Hood College differ?

As a public institution, St. Mary's College of Maryland typically offers lower tuition rates for in-state students compared to Hood College, which is a private institution. However, out-of-state tuition at St. Mary's may be comparable to or even higher than Hood's tuition. It's important to consider your residency status and to research the specific tuition and fees for each college, as well as available financial aid and scholarship opportunities. Both colleges offer financial aid packages to eligible students.
What are the student-faculty ratios at St. Mary's College of Maryland and Hood College?

Both St. Mary's College of Maryland and Hood College pride themselves on small class sizes and close interactions between students and faculty. You can expect a low student-to-faculty ratio at both institutions, fostering a supportive learning environment. St. Mary's typically has a student-faculty ratio around 10:1, while Hood's is around 12:1. This means you'll have ample opportunities to connect with your professors and receive personalized attention.
What types of extracurricular activities and student organizations are available at each college?

Both St. Mary's College of Maryland and Hood College offer a variety of extracurricular activities and student organizations to cater to diverse interests. St. Mary's has a strong focus on waterfront activities, clubs related to its honors college status, and student government. Hood College offers a wider range of clubs and organizations, including those related to specific academic disciplines, cultural interests, and community service. Both colleges also have athletic programs, though St. Mary's is known for its sailing team.
Which college is better for students interested in research opportunities?

Both St. Mary's College of Maryland and Hood College offer research opportunities for undergraduate students. St. Mary's, with its emphasis on rigorous academics, provides ample opportunities for students to engage in faculty-mentored research projects, particularly in the sciences and humanities. Hood College also offers research opportunities, often with a focus on applied research related to career fields. The 'better' college depends on your specific research interests and the availability of relevant faculty expertise.
How do the career services and internship opportunities compare between St. Mary's College of Maryland and Hood College?

Both colleges offer career services to assist students with internships, job searching, and career planning. Hood College, with its focus on career-oriented programs, has a strong emphasis on internships and experiential learning opportunities, particularly in the Frederick area. St. Mary's College of Maryland also provides career services and internship support, encouraging students to explore various career paths and gain practical experience. Consider your desired career field and the location of potential internship opportunities when evaluating the career services at each college.
What are the graduation rates and post-graduation outcomes for students at St. Mary's College of Maryland and Hood College?

Both St. Mary's College of Maryland and Hood College have respectable graduation rates, indicating that a significant percentage of students complete their degrees within a reasonable timeframe. St. Mary's College of Maryland, as a public honors college, typically has a slightly higher graduation rate. Both colleges provide data on post-graduation outcomes, such as employment rates and graduate school attendance, which can help you assess the success of their graduates in pursuing their career goals.

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