CSM vs. Harford Community College

Comparable Facts

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

Harford Community College is larger than CSM based on total student enrollment (5,067 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); Harford Community College is in Bel Air, MD (Midsize Suburban setting).
• College of Southern Maryland is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Harford Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Southern Maryland 16:1; Harford Community College 17:1.

CSM vs. Harford Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSM or Harford 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 Harford Community College ($8,006 vs. $8,960).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Harford Community College are 44.9% lower than at College of Southern Maryland ($9,100 vs. $16,530).
• College of Southern Maryland is 14.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Harford Community College (about $918 more per year; $7,350.00 vs. $6,432.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.8% higher at CSM than at Harford Community College (about $1,218 more per year; $10,050.00 vs. $8,832.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Harford Community College than at College of Southern Maryland (56% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of Southern Maryland students is 31.3% larger than aid received by Harford Community College students ($6,123 vs. $4,662).

CSM vs. Harford Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSM or Harford 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 Harford 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; Harford Community College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Harford Community College Jul 26, 2027.

CSM vs. Harford Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSM and Harford 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 $4,400 more per year than Harford Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,400 vs. $37,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Harford Community College graduates have a $2,507 lower median loan debt than CSM graduates ($6,493 vs. $9,000).
• Among borrowers, Harford Community College graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSM graduates ($67 vs. $93).
• More Harford Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSM students, three years after graduation. (46% 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.