Hood College

Hood College is committed to delivering an exceptional academic experience and strives to make education accessible to everyone, regardless of background. *U.S. News & World Report* recently ranked Hood College as a Best Value School. Financial aid is offered to 100 percent of all incoming first-year, first-time undergraduate students.

Hood College has a moderately selective admission policy with an acceptance rate ranging from 70 to 79%. The college requires an application and transcript, and is test-optional. Demonstrated interest matters, and the college encourages letters of recommendation and interviews.

Hood College offers a liberal arts education with a focus on experiential learning. Small class sizes and a low student-to-faculty ratio ensure that professors truly get to know their students. The college emphasizes hands-on experiences, civic engagement, and service learning.

Hood College boasts a 99% placement rate for graduates. Experiential learning is a built-in component of Hood’s core curriculum, providing ample opportunities to explore passions and hone skills inside and outside of the classroom. Students gain hands-on experience in real-world settings through internships, student-faculty research projects, study abroad, and fieldwork placements.

Hood College offers a close-knit community where students are welcoming and professors, facility, and staff are open to helping and making students feel at home. There is no Greek life or football, so students tend to be a little nontraditional or quirky. The campus is within close walking distance of downtown Frederick.

The Office of Campus Safety is a full-service public safety provider, operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Campus safety officers patrol the campus on foot and by vehicle, responding to all calls. The college has a strong partnership and frequently collaborates with the City of Frederick Police Department.

The Hood College Honors Program is a selective four-year program that combines classroom instruction and co-curricular activities. Honors courses are interdisciplinary, team-taught, and discussion-oriented, often enhanced by guest speakers and field trips. The program fosters cross-disciplinary connections and builds community through field trips and events.

Hood College welcomes international applicants and offers resources and support for practical training (OPT/CPT). The Graduate School reports a 100% OPT/CPT application approval rate, with 100% of those approvals resulting in employment. The college holds annual events celebrating cultural traditions and promoting awareness of diversity.