College of San Mateo
A good fit for families who need the lowest possible cost and in-state California residents. no major red flags in the data. generous financial aid cuts net price well below sticker.
About This School
College of San Mateo is a public institution located in San Mateo, California with approximately 7,977 undergraduate students enrolled. The average net price after financial aid is $536 per year. Typical graduates earn $47,900 within 10 years of enrollment.
College of San Mateo (CSM) is a public community college in San Mateo, California. It is part of the San Mateo County Community College District. College of San Mateo is located at the northern corridor of Silicon Valley and situated on a 153-acre site in the San Mateo hills. The college currently serves approximately 15,000 day, evening and weekend students. The college offers 69 A.A./A.S. degree majors and 81 certificate programs.
Sitting in the San Mateo hills at the northern edge of Silicon Valley, this community college offers real value for students looking to transfer or earn a credential without breaking the bank — median debt at graduation is a manageable $14,695, which is well below what you'd carry from a four-year school. The 69 degree programs and 81 certificates give you plenty of direction, especially if you're eyeing tech-adjacent fields given the local job market. That said, median earnings of $47,900 a decade out are modest for a Bay Area cost of living, so be intentional about your program choice — some pathways here will serve you far better than others.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: -2% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (7,977 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
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University of California-Los Angeles
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University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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