CSM vs. West Los Angeles College

Comparable Facts

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

College of San Mateo is larger than West Los Angeles College based on total student enrollment (9,901 students vs. 9,255 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of San Mateo is located in San Mateo, CA (Small City setting); West Los Angeles College is in Culver City, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• College of San Mateo is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. West Los Angeles College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of San Mateo 24:1; West Los Angeles College 26:1.

CSM vs. West Los Angeles College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSM or West Los Angeles 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 West Los Angeles College ($5,831 vs. $11,164).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Los Angeles College are 18.8% lower than at College of San Mateo ($25,407 vs. $31,288).
• College of San Mateo is 7.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than West Los Angeles College (about $94 more per year; $1,332.00 vs. $1,238.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.7% higher at CSM than at West Los Angeles College (about $812 more per year; $11,384.00 vs. $10,572.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at West Los Angeles College than at College of San Mateo (83% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by West Los Angeles College students is 33.5% larger than aid received by College of San Mateo students ($5,857 vs. $4,386).

CSM vs. West Los Angeles College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSM or West Los Angeles 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 West Los Angeles 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; West Los Angeles College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: West Los Angeles College Jun 1, 2027.

CSM vs. West Los Angeles College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSM and West Los Angeles 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 earn a median of about $9,100 more per year than West Los Angeles College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $35,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of San Mateo graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than West Los Angeles College graduates ($7,000 vs. $9,500).
• Among borrowers, CSM graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than West Los Angeles College graduates ($72 vs. $98).
• More CSM graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former West Los Angeles College students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 26%)

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.