College of Southern Maryland
A good fit for families who need the lowest possible cost and students who prefer a mid-size campus. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 4,422 students.
About This School
College of Southern Maryland is a public institution located in La Plata, Maryland with approximately 4,422 undergraduate students enrolled. The average net price after financial aid is $9,867 per year. Typical graduates earn $40,600 within 10 years of enrollment.
The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) is a public community college with campuses in Hughesville, La Plata, Leonardtown, and Prince Frederick, Maryland. It serves students living in Southern Maryland's Charles, St. Mary's, and Calvert counties.
Worth considering if you're looking to keep costs low and build a practical foundation — at just $9,867/year average net price and a median graduation debt of only $5,500, this is one of the more financially sensible paths you can take. The trade-off is that median earnings sit at $40,600 a decade out, which is modest but reasonable for a community college that likely serves as a stepping stone to a four-year transfer or local workforce entry. If your goal is to save money on general education credits before transferring, or to earn a credential without taking on serious debt, this school delivers on that promise.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
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 (4,422 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in Maryland
University of Maryland Global Campus
Adelphi, MD · Public
University of Maryland-College Park
College Park, MD · Public
Towson University
Towson, MD · Public
Montgomery College
Rockville, MD · Public
Community College of Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD · Public
University of Maryland-Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD · 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.
All school names, logos, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Their use on this page is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement or affiliation with CollegeHelpGuide.