CSM vs. Smith Chason College

Comparable Facts

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

College of San Mateo is larger than Smith Chason College based on total student enrollment (9,901 students vs. 2,447 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of San Mateo is located in San Mateo, CA (Small City setting); Smith Chason College is in Los Angeles, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• College of San Mateo is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Smith Chason College is a private, for-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of San Mateo 24:1; Smith Chason College 21:1.

CSM vs. Smith Chason College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSM or Smith Chason 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 Smith Chason College ($5,831 vs. $32,817).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Smith Chason College are 29.4% lower than at College of San Mateo ($22,086 vs. $31,288).
• Smith Chason College is 1,329.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSM (about $17,708 more per year; $19,040.00 vs. $1,332.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 67.3% higher at Smith Chason College than at College of San Mateo (about $7,656 more per year; $19,040.00 vs. $11,384.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of San Mateo than at Smith Chason College (80% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Smith Chason College students is 53.5% larger than aid received by College of San Mateo students ($6,731 vs. $4,386).

CSM vs. Smith Chason College Admissions comparison

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

CSM vs. Smith Chason College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSM and Smith Chason 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 Smith Chason College earn a median of about $11,400 more per year than CSM graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $44,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of San Mateo graduates have a $13,000 lower median loan debt than Smith Chason College graduates ($7,000 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, CSM graduates have an estimated $134 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Smith Chason College graduates ($72 vs. $206).
• More CSM graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Smith Chason College students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 48%)

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.