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

Program Analysis

A bachelor's in general psychology from Hood often serves as a foundational degree, but it's crucial to understand that direct, high-earning career paths in specialized fields like clinical psychology or I-O psychology almost universally demand graduate-level education. Many graduates initially find roles in social services, non-profit administration, or entry-level HR support within the Frederick region and beyond, where compensation can be modest as you build experience. The generalist nature of the degree means you'll often be competing for roles that value broad analytical and interpersonal skills, rather than specific vocational training, which can limit your initial earning potential. This pathway also faces potential disruption from AI in analytical and administrative tasks, underscoring the need for specialization. To truly leverage this degree, you should plan for graduate studies or actively seek internships and certifications early to carve out a distinct career niche.

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

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 →