College of Southern Maryland
Tel:
(301)934-2251
- The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) is an open-admissions, regional community college preparing students and community to meet the challenges of individual, social and global changes. CSM makes accessible a broad range of affordable, high-quality learning opportunities that allow students to define and achieve their goals, enhance their knowledge, and make smooth transitions at various stages of their development.
School Highlights
- College of Southern Maryland serves 8,411 students (37% of students are full-time).
- The college's student:teacher ratio of 29:1 is higher than the state community college average of 25:1.
- Minority enrollment is 32% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the state average of 48%.
- College of Southern Maryland is the only community colleges within Charles County, MD.
- The nearest community college to College of Southern Maryland is Global Health College (17.2 miles away).
School Overview
- The teacher population of 295 teachers has grown by 19% over five years.
| College of Southern Maryland | (MD) Community College Avg. | |
| Carnegie Classification | Baccalaureate / Associates Colleges | Baccalaureate / Associates Colleges |
| Institution Level | Less than 2 yrs | At least 2 but less than 4 years |
| Institution Control | Public | Public |
| Total Faculty | 295 staff | 164 staff |
| Total Enrollment | 8,411 students | 4,515 students |
 | ||
| Student : Teacher Ratio | 29:1 | 25:1 |
| # Full-Time Students | 3,087 students | 1,174 students |
| # Part-Time Students | 5,324 students | 3,341 students |
 |  | |
| % Asian | 2% | 6% |
| % Hispanic | 5% | 7% |
| % Black | 18% | 27% |
| % White | 68% | 52% |
| % Two or more races | 5% | 2% |
| % Unknown races | 1% | 2% |
 |  | |
| Diversity Score | 0.50 | 0.65 |
 | ||
| College Completion Rate | 13% | 21% |
| Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years) | $41,000 | $37,700 |
Source: 2016 (or latest year available) IPEDS
School Notes
- The College of Southern Maryland is rich in history with a promising and exciting future ahead. The college's history dates to 1958 when the Charles County Community College was established as part of the continuing expansion of the community college within America. At its inception in 1958, the college was governed by the Charles County Board of Education, with the first classes being held at La Plata High School in the evenings. The Friendly Hall Campus, which is now the La Plata campus, was established in 1968. The college expanded its services to St. Mary's County in 1978 and Calvert County in 1980. The College of Southern Maryland is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and others. The college offers Associate (Transfer and Terminal) Degrees and Certificate in more than 120 programs. CSM contributes to the well being of the region by providing an array of associate degree and certificate programs; enhanced access to bachelor degree programs; workforce development and job training; corporate consulting; leadership and community development; wellness, fitness and personal enrichment opportunities, and cultural experiences. CSM operates four campuses in the tri-county area. The La Plata Campus, nestled on 173 wooded acres off of Mitchell Road and the Waldorf Center for Higher Education on Old Washington Road, are both located in Charles county. The Prince Frederick Campus is located in Calvert County, and the Leonardtown Campus is situated in St. Mary's County. The La Plata Campus hosts a variety of amenities, including large indoor pool, fine arts center with a 400-seat theater, high-tech computer laboratories, outdoor and indoor sports facilities, bookstore fitness center, cafeteria, distance learning center and state-of-the-art conference center.
Nearby Schools
- The nearest community college to College of Southern Maryland is Global Health College (17.2 miles away).
- College Location Mi. Students
- Global Health CollegePublic361 students | 17.20 Mi6101 Stevenson Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22304
(703)212-7410 17.20361 - Medtech InstitutePrivate, for profit1,371 students | 22.80 Mi6565 Arlington Boulevard
Falls Church, VA 22042
(703)237-6200 22.801,371 - 51,487 students | 22.90 Mi4001 Wakefield Chapel Rd
Annandale, VA 22003
(703)323-3000 22.9051,487 - 13,678 students | 25.00 Mi301 Largo Rd
Upper Marlboro, MD 20774
(301)336-6000 25.0013,678 - Columbia College (Fairfax)Private, for profit428 students | 25.20 Mi8300 Merrifield Ave 3F
Fairfax, VA 22031
(703)206-0508 25.20428
Recent Articles
The Online Education Initiative will greatly expand course offerings for community college students, while making the transfer process between institutions much more smooth. The Initiative has its critics, however, who decry the loss of local control over education.
A recent study reveals that job applicants with a credential or associate’s degree from a community college have slightly better chances of getting a job interview than students who attend a for-profit college or university. Since community colleges are much more budget friendly than for-profit institutions and have much better job placement results, community colleges are a much better option for employment-minded students.
After City College of San Francisco loses its accreditation, other community colleges in the state are facing warnings, sanctions and possible loss of accreditation as well.
