CSM vs. HCC

Comparable Facts

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

Hagerstown Community College is larger than CSM based on total student enrollment (5,085 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); Hagerstown Community College is in Hagerstown, MD (Midsize Suburban setting).
• College of Southern Maryland is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Hagerstown Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Southern Maryland 16:1; Hagerstown Community College 17:1.

CSM vs. HCC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSM or HCC? 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 Hagerstown Community College than CSM ($6,767 vs. $8,006).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hagerstown Community College are 16.6% lower than at College of Southern Maryland ($13,780 vs. $16,530).
• College of Southern Maryland is 15% more expensive for in-state tuition than HCC (about $960 more per year; $7,350.00 vs. $6,390.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.7% higher at CSM than at Hagerstown Community College (about $1,860 more per year; $10,050.00 vs. $8,190.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hagerstown Community College than at College of Southern Maryland (59% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of Southern Maryland students is 19.1% larger than aid received by Hagerstown Community College students ($6,123 vs. $5,143).

CSM vs. HCC Admissions comparison

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

CSM vs. HCC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSM and HCC? 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 $5,200 more per year than HCC graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,400 vs. $36,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Southern Maryland graduates have a $2,214 lower median loan debt than HCC graduates ($9,000 vs. $11,214).
• Among borrowers, CSM graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than HCC graduates ($93 vs. $115).
• More HCC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSM students, three years after graduation. (45% 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.