CSM vs. Norco College

Comparable Facts

Compare College of San Mateo in San Mateo, CA with Norco College in Norco, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Norco College is larger than CSM based on total student enrollment (11,351 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); Norco College is in Norco, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• College of San Mateo is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Norco College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of San Mateo 24:1; Norco College 29:1.

CSM vs. Norco College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSM or Norco College? 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 College of San Mateo than Norco College ($5,831 vs. $8,534).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Norco College are 14.5% lower than at College of San Mateo ($26,740 vs. $31,288).
• Norco College is 7.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSM (about $96 more per year; $1,428.00 vs. $1,332.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.8% higher at Norco College than at College of San Mateo (about $1,114 more per year; $12,498.00 vs. $11,384.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Norco College than at College of San Mateo (81% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Norco College students is 21.8% larger than aid received by College of San Mateo students ($5,343 vs. $4,386).

CSM vs. Norco College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSM or Norco College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Norco College and CSM.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSM - Open admission; Norco College - Open admission.

CSM vs. Norco College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSM and Norco College? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Graduates from College of San Mateo have median earnings of about $44,800 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for Norco College.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of San Mateo graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Norco College graduates ($7,000 vs. $8,000).
• Among borrowers, CSM graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Norco College graduates ($72 vs. $82).
• More CSM graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Norco College students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 41%)

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.