CSM vs. CCBC

Comparable Facts

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

Community College of Baltimore County is larger than CSM based on total student enrollment (16,451 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); Community College of Baltimore County is in Baltimore, MD (Large Suburban setting).
• College of Southern Maryland is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Community College of Baltimore County is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Southern Maryland 16:1; Community College of Baltimore County 16:1.

CSM vs. CCBC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSM or CCBC? 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 CCBC ($8,006 vs. $9,978).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Community College of Baltimore County are 4.8% lower than at College of Southern Maryland ($15,742 vs. $16,530).
• Community College of Baltimore County is 3.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSM (about $254 more per year; $7,604.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.6% higher at CCBC than at College of Southern Maryland (about $960 more per year; $11,010.00 vs. $10,050.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Community College of Baltimore County than at College of Southern Maryland (66% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of Southern Maryland students is 11.9% larger than aid received by Community College of Baltimore County students ($6,123 vs. $5,472).

CSM vs. CCBC Admissions comparison

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

CSM vs. CCBC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSM and CCBC? 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 $4,200 more per year than CCBC graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,400 vs. $37,200), 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 CCBC graduates ($9,000 vs. $11,000).
• Among borrowers, CSM graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CCBC graduates ($93 vs. $113).
• More CSM graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CCBC students, three years after graduation. (42% vs. 31%)

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.