Psychology at Hood College

Frederick, MD · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Psychology, General
19 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
20
Optimistic
19
Base Case
18
Pessimistic
Earnings $23,358/yr (-26% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (125,000 openings/yr)
ROI 2.6x earnings multiple
Ranked #923 of 926 Psychology, General programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Psychology graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $482K $483K $456K
Earnings Multiple 2.6x 2.6x 2.5x
Probability of Field Employment 51% 47% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 20 19 18

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$183,480
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$94,828
48% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,000
11.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$40,675
74% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $23,358 per year, Psychology graduates from Hood College earn below the $31,705 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The financial case is thin at 2.6x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in Psychology's typical career paths, with 49% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 5% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $22,000 represents roughly 11 months of the $23,358 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #923 of 926 Psychology programs, Hood College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $40,675 show a 74% jump from the $23,358 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Hood College

With 78% of applicants admitted, Hood College prioritizes broad access, with a smaller student body of 1,202 in Frederick, MD. The average net cost of $94,828 over four years represents a 48% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Hood College →

Top Career Paths

Managers, all other $136,550/yr
Psychologists, all other $117,580/yr
Industrial-organizational psychologists $109,840/yr
View all 6 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Psychology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Hood College

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Psychology at Hood College?
A score of 19/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Psychology. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Psychology careers?
With 49% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $455,794 in decade earnings vs $481,735 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Psychology from Hood College?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →