CSM vs. City College of New York

Comparable Facts

Compare College of San Mateo in San Mateo, CA with CUNY City College in New York, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

CUNY City College is larger than CSM based on total student enrollment (15,544 students vs. 9,901 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of San Mateo is located in San Mateo, CA (Small City setting); CUNY City College is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• College of San Mateo is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. CUNY City College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of San Mateo 24:1; CUNY City College 15:1.

CSM vs. City College of New York Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSM or City College of New York? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at CUNY City College than CSM ($4,664 vs. $5,831).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at CUNY City College are 39.8% lower than at College of San Mateo ($18,840 vs. $31,288).
• CUNY City College is 451.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSM (about $6,008 more per year; $7,340.00 vs. $1,332.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.3% higher at City College of New York than at College of San Mateo (about $3,906 more per year; $15,290.00 vs. $11,384.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at CUNY City College than at College of San Mateo (88% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by CUNY City College students is 122.6% larger than aid received by College of San Mateo students ($9,763 vs. $4,386).

CSM vs. City College of New York Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSM or City College of New York? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between City College of New York and CSM.

• College of San Mateo reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsCUNY City College 1070/1430.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSM - Open admission; City College of New York - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: City College of New York Feb 1, 2027.

CSM vs. City College of New York Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSM and City College of New York? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from CUNY City College earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than CSM graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,800 vs. $44,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of San Mateo graduates have a $4,400 lower median loan debt than City College of New York graduates ($7,000 vs. $11,400).
• Among borrowers, CSM graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than City College of New York graduates ($72 vs. $117).
• More CSM graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former City College of New York students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 52%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.