CSM vs. Northern Virginia Community College

Comparable Facts

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

Northern Virginia Community College is larger than CSM based on total student enrollment (56,457 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); Northern Virginia Community College is in Annandale, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• College of Southern Maryland is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Northern Virginia Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Southern Maryland 16:1; Northern Virginia Community College 31:1.

CSM vs. Northern Virginia Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSM or Northern Virginia 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 Northern Virginia Community College ($8,006 vs. $9,627).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Virginia Community College are 23.3% lower than at College of Southern Maryland ($12,684 vs. $16,530).
• College of Southern Maryland is 24.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern Virginia Community College (about $1,459 more per year; $7,350.00 vs. $5,891.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.5% higher at Northern Virginia Community College than at College of Southern Maryland (about $2,359 more per year; $12,409.00 vs. $10,050.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at College of Southern Maryland as at Northern Virginia Community College (54% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Virginia Community College students is 22.8% larger than aid received by College of Southern Maryland students ($7,519 vs. $6,123).

CSM vs. Northern Virginia Community College Admissions comparison

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

CSM vs. Northern Virginia Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSM and Northern Virginia 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 Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than CSM graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,100 vs. $41,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Southern Maryland graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Northern Virginia Community College graduates ($9,000 vs. $11,000).
• Among borrowers, CSM graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northern Virginia Community College graduates ($93 vs. $113).
• More Northern Virginia Community College 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.