Hood College, a private liberal arts college in Frederick, Maryland, ranks #50 in the US News Best Regional Universities North category and holds a QS Stars rating of 5. Founded in 1893, the college enrols close to 2,040 students across 31 undergraduate majors and 19 graduate programmes, with Hood College fees for Indian students weighted around the MBA, MS Information Technology, and MS Biomedical Science tracks.
Programmes at universities in USA like Hood run in English with no separate India-medium track. The college confirms Fall 2027 applications are open with no application fee, and rolling admissions apply across both undergraduate and graduate cohorts. Frederick sits 80 kilometres from Washington DC, giving Indian students internship access to federal agencies, biotech clusters, and Baltimore-Washington employers.
- US News Regional Universities North: #50 (latest verified edition)
- Acceptance rate: 71% (estimated)
- Primary intakes: Fall (August) and Spring (January)
- PG tuition (annual): USD 15,300 to USD 46,700 (INR 14.5 lakh to INR 44.1 lakh)
- UG tuition (annual): USD 42,510 (INR 40.2 lakh)
- Merit aid coverage: 98% of undergraduates receive merit-based aid
Also Check: MS Universities in USA
Indian applicants qualify for the F-1 study in USA visa pathway, with post-study work options of 12 months OPT for most programmes and 36 months for STEM-designated fields. Hood College merit awards apply to international admits automatically, keeping the effective outlay closer to the mid-range of Maryland private colleges.
Exchange rate used: 1 USD = INR 94.5 as of September 2026
Admission Status: Open (Fall 2027 intake). Hood College confirms Fall 2027 applications are now live with no application fee. Rolling review applies to both undergraduate and graduate programmes, and Spring 2027 remains open for select master’s tracks. Verify programme-specific windows at the official Hood College application portal before dispatching credentials.
Table of Contents
- Popular Courses and Fees at Hood College 2027
- Hood College Admission 2027
- Hood College Admission Requirements for Indian Applicants 2027
- Hood College Acceptance Rate 2027
- Hood College Fees and Cost of Living for Indian Students 2027
- Hood College Campus, Facilities and Student Life
- Hood College Scholarships 2027
- Hood College Rankings 2027
- Hood College Placements and Career Outcomes 2027
- Hood College vs Peer Universities
- Hood College FAQs
Popular Courses and Fees at Hood College 2027
Hood College fees are structured on an annual full-time tuition basis for undergraduate cohorts and a per-credit basis for graduate programmes. Graduate credit costs sit in a USD 490 to USD 710 band, with total programme fees depending on the credit load of each master’s track. Duration ranges from 12 months for accelerated MBA pathways to 24 months for traditional MS programmes.
Hood College PG Fees for Indian Students 2027
Master’s programmes at Hood College span 30 to 36 credits, with a per-credit rate that varies by cluster (business, science, counselling, general). The table below lists the top ten graduate courses Indian students apply to, with total programme fee estimates based on the credit load and published cluster rates.
| Program | Total Fee (USD) | Total Fee (INR lakh) | Entry Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| MBA (Master of Business Administration) | 41,400 | 39.1 lakh | Bachelor’s with 55% or CGPA 5.5/10 (recommended) |
| MS Management Information Systems | 93,400 | 88.3 lakh | Bachelor’s with 55% or CGPA 5.5/10 (recommended) |
| MS Information Technology | 39,300 | 37.1 lakh | Bachelor’s with 55% or CGPA 5.5/10 (recommended) |
| MS Biomedical Science | 39,300 | 37.1 lakh | Bachelor’s in life sciences with 60% (recommended) |
| MS Cybersecurity | 39,300 | 37.1 lakh | Bachelor’s with 55% or CGPA 5.5/10 (recommended) |
| MS Educational Leadership | 30,600 | 28.9 lakh | Bachelor’s with 55% or CGPA 5.5/10 (recommended) |
| MS Counseling | 32,000 (estimated) | 30.2 lakh (estimated) | Bachelor’s with 55% or CGPA 5.5/10 (recommended) |
| MS Environmental Biology | 39,300 | 37.1 lakh | Bachelor’s in life sciences with 60% (recommended) |
| MS Nursing | 32,000 (estimated) | 30.2 lakh (estimated) | BSc Nursing with 60% and RN licence (recommended) |
| MS Human Sciences | 30,600 (estimated) | 28.9 lakh (estimated) | Bachelor’s with 55% or CGPA 5.5/10 (recommended) |
Hood College UG Fees for Indian Students 2027
Undergraduate tuition is a flat annual charge across all majors. Duration is four years for standard bachelor’s tracks, and the total tuition assumes constant fee levels (Hood revises tuition each academic year).
| Program | Total Fee (USD) | Total Fee (INR lakh) | Entry Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| BSc Biomedical Science | 170,040 | 160.7 lakh | Class 12 with 70% (recommended) |
| BS Computer Science | 170,040 | 160.7 lakh | Class 12 with 70% (recommended) |
| BA Business Administration | 170,040 | 160.7 lakh | Class 12 with 65% (recommended) |
| BS Nursing | 170,040 | 160.7 lakh | Class 12 Science with 75% (recommended) |
| BA Psychology | 170,040 | 160.7 lakh | Class 12 with 65% (recommended) |
Insider note: Indian students most often pick MS Information Technology, MS Cybersecurity, and MBA at Hood, since these tracks combine STEM-eligible OPT (36 months) with a lower per-credit rate than large state universities.
Read More: Hood College Fees and Cost of Living Guide
Hood College Admission 2027
Hood College operates a rolling admissions cycle for both undergraduate and graduate applicants, with a primary Fall intake in August and a Spring intake in January.
| Milestone | Date | Notes for Indian Applicants |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2027 application open | Now open | Rolling review; no application fee. Verify programme-specific priority dates. |
| Spring 2027 application deadline | Expected November 2026 (based on prior cycle) | Select master’s tracks accept spring entrants; check per-programme page. |
| Credential verification (WES or ECE) | Start 8 weeks before application submission | Course-by-course evaluation is standard for Indian transcripts. |
| F-1 visa interview | 60 to 90 days before programme start | Book after receiving I-20 and paying SEVIS I-901 fee. |
| Fall 2027 programme start | August 2027 | Orientation runs one week before classes commence. |
Planning note: Because Hood College uses rolling review, submitting the application in the first four weeks of the cycle materially improves scholarship visibility, since merit-aid decisions are attached to the admission letter itself.
Read More: Hood College Admissions Guide for Indian Students
Hood College Admission Requirements for Indian Applicants 2027
Hood College admission requirements combine a bachelor’s-level academic threshold, an English proficiency score, and credential evaluation for Indian transcripts.
- Academic threshold (PG): Bachelor’s degree with 55% aggregate or CGPA 5.5/10 (recommended); STEM master’s tracks favour applicants in the 60% and above band.
- English proficiency: Accepted tests and minimum scores must be confirmed at the official Hood College application page; TOEFL iBT, IELTS, Duolingo English Test, and PTE Academic are typically accepted.
- Credential evaluation: Course-by-course WES or ECE report is standard for Indian transcripts, marksheets, and provisional certificates.
- Test waivers: GRE and GMAT are not required across most Hood College graduate programmes.
For undergraduate applicants, Hood College requires a Class 12 pass with subject-specific benchmarks, an English proficiency score, and financial documentation for the F-1 visa.
- Class 12 requirement (UG): 65% to 75% aggregate depending on major (recommended).
- SAT or ACT: Test-optional for Fall 2027 admits; strong Class 12 marks compensate.
- Financial documentation: Bank affidavit of support demonstrating one full year of tuition plus living costs, verified during the I-20 issuance stage.
Key insight: Applicants with an English-medium bachelor’s degree from a recognised Indian university can request a TOEFL or IELTS waiver at the graduate level; the request must be raised in writing before credential upload.
Hood College Acceptance Rate 2027
Hood College acceptance rate sits at 71% (estimated) based on the latest publicly disclosed undergraduate admission cycle. The figure marks Hood as a moderately selective private liberal arts college where a Class 12 average in the 70% band, matched with a clear statement of purpose, keeps admission probability strong for Indian applicants.
Graduate acceptance rates are not publicly disclosed and are known to vary by programme cluster. Business and information technology tracks tend to admit a broader mix of applicants than the biomedical and counselling programmes.
Reality check: A 71% headline rate does not guarantee scholarship-tier admission; merit-aid awards concentrate among applicants in the top 30% of the admit pool by Class 12 percentage and English test score.
Read More: Hood College Acceptance Rate
Hood College Fees and Cost of Living for Indian Students 2027
Total annual outlay for an Indian student at Hood College sits between USD 35,000 and USD 65,000 (INR 33.1 lakh to INR 61.4 lakh), covering tuition, mandatory fees, room and board, and personal expenses.
Hood College Tuition Fees for Indian Students 2027
Tuition varies sharply between the undergraduate flat-rate model and the per-credit graduate model. Business and management information systems clusters carry the higher per-credit rates.
| Level | Annual Tuition (USD) | Annual Tuition (INR lakh) |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 42,510 | 40.2 lakh |
| Graduate (per credit) | 490 to 710 | 0.46 to 0.67 lakh |
| MBA (annual load) | 20,700 | 19.6 lakh |
| MS STEM (annual load) | 19,650 | 18.6 lakh |
Monthly Cost of Living in Frederick for Indian Students
Frederick sits in the lower half of Maryland cost brackets, with rent materially cheaper than in Baltimore or the Washington DC metro. On-campus housing is available for first-year and international students.
| Expense | Monthly (USD) | Monthly (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (on-campus) | 950 (estimated) | 89,775 |
| Food and groceries | 400 (estimated) | 37,800 |
| Transportation | 90 (estimated) | 8,505 |
| Books and supplies | 120 (estimated) | 11,340 |
| Personal and utilities | 200 (estimated) | 18,900 |
| Monthly total | 1,760 | 1,66,320 |
| Annual total | 21,120 | 19.9 lakh |
[Source: US Department of State cost-of-attendance guidance for F-1 applicants]
Insider note: Off-campus one-bedroom rentals in Frederick range between USD 1,300 and USD 1,700, so sharing accommodation with one other student typically pulls the housing line below the on-campus estimate by month four.
Read More: Cost of Living in USA for Indian Students
Hood College Campus, Facilities and Student Life
The Hood College campus spans a compact 50-acre site in downtown Frederick, Maryland, a historic city 80 kilometres north-west of Washington DC.
- Location and transit: Frederick is served by MARC commuter rail to Washington DC and Baltimore, with Union Station reachable in 90 minutes.
- Housing: On-campus residence is guaranteed to first-year international students; upper-year students access apartment-style housing at USD 950 monthly.
- Notable facility: The Hodson Science and Technology Center hosts the biomedical science, environmental biology, and computer science laboratories central to Hood’s STEM master’s tracks.
- Indian student community: Small but active, concentrated in the MBA and MS Information Technology cohorts; the International Student Office runs orientation, tax, and OPT workshops.
What Indian students say: Class sizes are small enough that professors know applicants by name inside a fortnight, and Frederick’s cost of living is a fraction of the Washington DC metro. The trade-off is fewer big-recruiter campus visits than at larger state universities.
Hood College Scholarships 2027
Hood College scholarships apply automatically to international admits, and 98% of undergraduates receive some form of merit-based aid.
| Scholarship | Type | Award Value | Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Founder’s Scholarship | Merit | Half tuition (USD 21,255; INR 20.1 lakh) | Top-tier academic profile; automatic | Rolling with admission |
| Trailblazer Scholarship | Merit | Half tuition (USD 21,255; INR 20.1 lakh) | Strong Class 12 or bachelor’s average; automatic | Rolling with admission |
| Recognition Award | Merit | Quarter tuition (USD 10,628; INR 10.0 lakh) | Solid academic profile; automatic | Rolling with admission |
| Opportunity Award | Merit | USD 10,000 (INR 9.5 lakh) | All admitted first-year students | Rolling with admission |
| Hodson Leadership Scholars | Merit and leadership | Verify at official page | Demonstrated leadership and academic excellence | Verify at official Hood College page |
[Source: Hood College Admissions and Financial Aid Office]
Insider note: Merit awards are attached to the admission letter, not requested separately, so submitting within the first month of the Fall cycle materially improves the odds of a half-tuition award over a quarter-tuition award.
Read More: Hood College Scholarships Guide
Hood College Rankings 2027
Hood College is not ranked as a single entity in the QS World University Rankings 2027 or the THE World University Rankings 2026, since both bodies restrict inclusion to research-heavy institutions. The strongest position Hood College holds is #50 in the US News Best Regional Universities North category.
| Ranking Body | Latest Edition | Previous Edition | Two Editions Back |
|---|---|---|---|
| US News Regional Universities North | 2026: #50 | 2025: #52 | 2024: #54 |
| US News Best Value Schools (Regional North) | 2026: #18 | 2025: #20 | 2024: #22 |
| QS World | 2027: Not ranked | 2026: Not ranked | 2025: Not ranked |
| THE World | 2026: Not ranked | 2025: Not ranked | 2024: Not ranked |
[Source: US News, QS, Times Higher Education]
Hood College also holds a QS Stars rating of 5, an audit-based badge that runs separately from the QS World ranking. The college is a Carnegie-classified Master’s University, which places it in the same bracket as other regional New England and mid-Atlantic private colleges.
Key insight: For Indian applicants, US News Regional Universities North rank matters more than global rank in this bracket, because employer recognition, visa officers, and Indian education loan providers reference the US News list for Maryland private colleges.
Read More: Hood College Rankings Analysis
Hood College Placements and Career Outcomes 2027
Hood College placement outcomes are shaped by the Frederick and Baltimore-Washington DC job corridor, with biotech, federal contracting, and information technology as the dominant recruiter clusters.
- Employment or graduate school placement (undergraduate): 94% within six months of graduation (as per Hood College Career Center)
- Median starting salary: Not disclosed at institution level; market median for regional private-college MS Information Technology graduates in Maryland is USD 68,000 (INR 64.3 lakh) annually.
- Recruiter clusters: Federal government agencies, defence contractors, Frederick biotech firms, and Baltimore-Washington DC health systems.
- Career support: The Career Center runs OPT workshops, employer meet-and-greet series, and one-on-one resume reviews tailored to international students.
- STEM OPT eligibility: MS Information Technology, MS Cybersecurity, MS Biomedical Science, and MS Environmental Biology are STEM-designated, unlocking a 24-month OPT extension on top of the base 12 months.
Insider note: Indian graduates in STEM master’s tracks report shorter offer cycles when they concentrate their search on Frederick’s biotech cluster and the Baltimore federal contractor belt, rather than the more crowded Washington DC labour market.
Hood College vs Peer Universities
Peer set below compares Hood College with three Maryland and mid-Atlantic private colleges of similar size and Carnegie classification, on the same rank basis (US News Regional Universities North).
| University | US News Regional North 2026 | Avg Annual PG Fee (USD) | Avg Annual PG Fee (INR lakh) | Differentiator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hood College | #50 | 19,650 to 46,700 | 18.6 to 44.1 lakh | STEM master’s with 36-month OPT and merit aid on admission letter |
| Mount St. Mary’s University | #28 (estimated) | 22,000 (estimated) | 20.8 lakh (estimated) | Stronger regional accounting and finance pipeline |
| Salisbury University | #41 (estimated) | 15,000 (estimated) | 14.2 lakh (estimated) | Public status keeps tuition lower than Hood |
| Notre Dame of Maryland University | #75 (estimated) | 18,000 (estimated) | 17.0 lakh (estimated) | Deeper focus on health sciences and nursing |
[Source: US News Best Regional Universities North latest edition]
Hood College stands out in this peer set for the combination of automatic merit awards on admission and STEM-designated master’s tracks. The five-star QS Stars audit also puts it above most peers on the international-visibility axis, even without a QS World rank.
Hood College fits an Indian applicant who values small class sizes, automatic merit aid, and STEM-eligible master’s tracks with a total investment near USD 41,000 to USD 93,000 (INR 39.1 lakh to INR 88.3 lakh) against a median entry-level salary of USD 68,000 in Maryland. The F-1 visa pathway is straightforward given Hood’s low denial history and 36-month STEM OPT.
The college is not the right fit for applicants targeting bulge-bracket investment banking, big-tech FAANG recruiting, or those who need a QS or THE World rank on the certificate. Candidates with those goals should look at MBA universities in USA such as University of Maryland or George Washington University instead.
Hood College FAQs
Ques. What English tests does Hood College accept for Indian applicants?
Ans. Hood College accepts the TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, and Duolingo English Test for Indian applicants at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Test minimums are set programme-by-programme and are published on the official application page. Applicants with an English-medium bachelor’s degree from a recognised Indian university can request a written waiver of the test requirement at the graduate level.
Ques. Does Hood College require GRE or GMAT scores for MBA admission?
Ans. Hood College does not require GRE or GMAT scores for MBA admission or for most master’s programmes. Applicants are evaluated on bachelor’s transcripts, statement of purpose, references, and English test scores. Submitting a strong GRE score can still support scholarship consideration for STEM master’s tracks such as MS Biomedical Science or MS Environmental Biology, but the score is not a filter.
Ques. Can Hood College international students work part-time on campus?
Ans. F-1 visa holders at Hood College can work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week during term and up to 40 hours per week during official breaks. Common roles include library assistant, teaching assistant, and residence life staff. Off-campus work is restricted and requires Curricular Practical Training authorisation from the International Student Office, usually available after two full semesters of enrolment.
Ques. How long is OPT for STEM graduates at Hood College?
Ans. Graduates of Hood College STEM-designated master’s programmes (MS Information Technology, MS Cybersecurity, MS Biomedical Science, MS Environmental Biology) qualify for the standard 12-month Optional Practical Training plus a 24-month STEM extension, for a combined 36 months of post-study work eligibility. Non-STEM tracks such as MBA and MS Educational Leadership are limited to the 12-month base OPT.
Ques. What financial documents does Hood College require for the I-20?
Ans. Hood College requires a bank affidavit of support covering one full academic year of tuition plus living costs, typically USD 55,000 to USD 65,000 for graduate applicants and USD 60,000 for undergraduate applicants. Acceptable formats include a family sponsor bank statement, an approved education loan sanction letter, or a scholarship award letter. The documents are reviewed during the I-20 issuance stage after admission is confirmed.
Ques. Does Hood College accept transfer credits from Indian universities?
Ans. Hood College evaluates transfer credits from Indian universities on a course-by-course basis using a WES or ECE credential evaluation report. Undergraduate transfer applicants can typically bring in up to 64 credits from a recognised bachelor’s programme. Graduate applicants can transfer a maximum of 6 credits into most master’s tracks, subject to programme director approval and syllabus review.
Ques. Which Indian loan providers cover Hood College tuition?
Ans. Hood College is recognised by major Indian education loan providers, including HDFC Credila, Avanse, Auxilo, InCred, and public-sector banks such as State Bank of India and Bank of Baroda. The typical sanction ceiling for a Hood College master’s programme sits between INR 40 lakh and INR 60 lakh, covering tuition and living costs. Collateral requirements depend on the total loan size and the co-applicant profile.
Ques. What is the Class 12 requirement for Hood College undergraduate admission?
Ans. Hood College undergraduate admission recommends a Class 12 aggregate of 65% for humanities and social science majors, 70% for computer science and business tracks, and 75% for nursing and biomedical science majors. Class 12 marks from CBSE, ISC, and recognised state boards are accepted directly, with no mandatory SAT or ACT score for Fall 2027 admits under the test-optional policy.
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Hood College Scholarships
| Name | Scholarship Per Student | Level of Study | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TEC Scholarship | Scholarship per student₹ 95,580/Yr$1,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| BeArt Presets-Academic Scholarship | Scholarship per student₹ 2.4 L/Yr$2,500 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Chuan Ai Lu Engstrom Memorial Scholarship | Scholarship per student₹ 95,580/Yr$1,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Jagdish Bhagwati Fellowship | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeCollege-Specific | |
| Bharat Petroleum Scholarship | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyMaster | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Comindware Scholarship | Scholarship per student₹ 3.8 L/Yr$4,000 | Level Of StudyApprenticeship | TypeMerit-Based |
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Hood College Admissions
Application Portal: https://www.hood.edu/apply/
Early Action Deadlines
Important Date: November1 (Application deadline)Important Date: April1 (Application results)Regular Decision Deadlines
Important Date: January15 (Application deadline)Important Date: April1 (Application results)
Hood College Exam Scores
| Exams | Avg. Score | Min Score | Max. Score | %Submitted' |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate | ||||
| GRE | 311.6 | - | - | - |
Attendance Cost
The table shows average yearly cost of attendance for international students. Amount may vary with the course opted, nature of accommodation, and personal spending habits of a candidate.Check Program wise Fees
Hood College Accreditations
Faculty
| Total Faculty | Full Time | Part Time | Graduate Assistants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3215 | 1232 | 1983 | 3 |


















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