CSM vs. Frederick Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare College of Southern Maryland in La Plata, MD with Frederick Community College in Frederick, MD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Frederick Community College is larger than CSM based on total student enrollment (7,293 students vs. 5,062 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of Southern Maryland is located in La Plata, MD (Rural Fringe setting); Frederick Community College is in Frederick, MD (Small City setting).
• College of Southern Maryland is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Frederick Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Southern Maryland 16:1; Frederick Community College 20:1.

CSM vs. Frederick Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSM or Frederick Community 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 Southern Maryland than Frederick Community College ($8,006 vs. $9,784).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Frederick Community College are 40.5% lower than at College of Southern Maryland ($9,840 vs. $16,530).
• Frederick Community College is 3.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSM (about $244 more per year; $7,594.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.1% higher at CSM than at Frederick Community College (about $8 more per year; $10,050.00 vs. $10,042.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at College of Southern Maryland as at Frederick Community College (54% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of Southern Maryland students is 25.6% larger than aid received by Frederick Community College students ($6,123 vs. $4,875).

CSM vs. Frederick Community College Admissions comparison

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

CSM vs. Frederick Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSM and Frederick Community 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 Southern Maryland earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than Frederick Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,400 vs. $40,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Frederick Community College graduates have a $600 lower median loan debt than CSM graduates ($8,400 vs. $9,000).
• Among borrowers, Frederick Community College graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSM graduates ($86 vs. $93).
• More Frederick Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSM students, three years after graduation. (52% vs. 42%)

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.