CSM vs. Montgomery College

Comparable Facts

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

Montgomery College is larger than CSM based on total student enrollment (18,835 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); Montgomery College is in Rockville, MD (Small City setting).
• College of Southern Maryland is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Montgomery College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Southern Maryland 16:1; Montgomery College 18:1.

CSM vs. Montgomery College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSM or Montgomery 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 Montgomery College ($8,006 vs. $8,888).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) are the same at College of Southern Maryland and Montgomery College ($16,530).
• Montgomery College is 41.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSM (about $3,048 more per year; $10,398.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.8% higher at Montgomery College than at College of Southern Maryland (about $4,200 more per year; $14,250.00 vs. $10,050.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Montgomery College than at College of Southern Maryland (65% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Montgomery College students is 3.4% larger than aid received by College of Southern Maryland students ($6,331 vs. $6,123).

CSM vs. Montgomery College Admissions comparison

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

CSM vs. Montgomery College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSM and Montgomery 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 Montgomery College earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than CSM graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,500 vs. $41,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Southern Maryland graduates have a $700 lower median loan debt than Montgomery College graduates ($9,000 vs. $9,700).
• Among borrowers, CSM graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Montgomery College graduates ($93 vs. $100).
• More Montgomery College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSM students, three years after graduation. (48% 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.