MJC vs. CSM

Comparable Facts

Compare Modesto Junior College in Modesto, CA with College of San Mateo in San Mateo, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Modesto Junior College is larger than CSM based on total student enrollment (18,258 students vs. 9,901 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Modesto Junior College is located in Modesto, CA (Midsize City setting); College of San Mateo is in San Mateo, CA (Small City setting).
• Modesto Junior College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. College of San Mateo is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Modesto Junior College 32:1; College of San Mateo 24:1.

MJC vs. CSM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MJC or CSM? 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 Modesto Junior College than CSM ($5,605 vs. $5,831).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Modesto Junior College are 29.4% lower than at College of San Mateo ($22,086 vs. $31,288).
• College of San Mateo is 3.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than MJC (about $50 more per year; $1,332.00 vs. $1,282.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.9% higher at CSM than at Modesto Junior College (about $2,120 more per year; $11,384.00 vs. $9,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of San Mateo than at Modesto Junior College (80% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Modesto Junior College students is 36.4% larger than aid received by College of San Mateo students ($5,984 vs. $4,386).

MJC vs. CSM Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MJC or CSM? 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 CSM and MJC.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MJC - Open admission; CSM - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: MJC Jun 30, 2027.

MJC vs. CSM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MJC and CSM? 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 San Mateo earn a median of about $10,800 more per year than MJC graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $34,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.

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.