CSM vs. Southwestern College

Comparable Facts

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

Southwestern College is larger than CSM based on total student enrollment (20,986 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); Southwestern College is in Chula Vista, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• College of San Mateo is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Southwestern College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of San Mateo 24:1; Southwestern College 26:1.

CSM vs. Southwestern College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSM or Southwestern 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 Southwestern College ($5,831 vs. $15,148).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwestern College are 23.6% lower than at College of San Mateo ($23,897 vs. $31,288).
• Southwestern College is 0.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSM (about $12 more per year; $1,344.00 vs. $1,332.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7% higher at CSM than at Southwestern College (about $744 more per year; $11,384.00 vs. $10,640.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwestern College than at College of San Mateo (86% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern College students is 55.5% larger than aid received by College of San Mateo students ($6,821 vs. $4,386).

CSM vs. Southwestern College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSM or Southwestern College? 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 Southwestern 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; Southwestern College - Open admission.

CSM vs. Southwestern College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSM and Southwestern College? 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 College of San Mateo earn a median of about $10,700 more per year than Southwestern College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $34,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwestern College graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than CSM graduates ($4,500 vs. $7,000).
• Among borrowers, Southwestern College graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSM graduates ($46 vs. $72).
• More CSM graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southwestern College students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 36%)

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.