- 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 5,062 students (37% of students are full-time).
The college's student-teacher ratio of 23:1 is same as the state community college average of 23:1.
Minority enrollment is 53% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the state average of 63%.
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Enrollment: 5,062 students
- In-state tuition: $5,845
- Out-state tuition: $7,557
- Student-teacher ratio: 23:1
- Minority enrollment: 53%
- Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
School Overview
The teacher population of 218 teachers has declined by 61% over five years.
College of Southern Maryland
(MD) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges
Associate's Colleges
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Year Founded
1958
Total Faculty
218 staff
190 staff
School Calendar
AccreditationAccred.
Achieving the Dream (ATD)
Student Body
The student population of College of Southern Maryland has declined by 17% over five years.
The student-teacher ratio of 23:1 has increased from 11:1 over five years.
The College of Southern Maryland diversity score of 0.69 is less than the state average of 0.74. The school's diversity has grown by 22% over five years.
Total Enrollment
5,062 students
4,668 students
Showing 2012–2025. View full 19-year historical data
Student-Teacher Ratio
23:1
23:1
Showing 2008–2025. View full 19-year historical data
# Full-Time Students
1,859 students
1,174 students
Showing 2012–2025. View full 19-year historical data
# Part-Time Students
3,203 students
3,494 students
Showing 2012–2025. View full 19-year historical data
# Enrollment Undergraduate
1,859 students
3,337 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
1,859 students
991 students
Showing 2012–2025. View full 19-year historical data
% American Indian/Alaskan
1%
n/a
% Asian
4%
6%
Showing 2008–2025. View full 19-year historical data
% Hispanic
9%
14%
Showing 2008–2025. View full 19-year historical data
% Black
27%
30%
Showing 2008–2025. View full 19-year historical data
% White
47%
37%
Showing 2010–2025. View full 19-year historical data
% Two or more races
8%
5%
% Non Resident races
1%
5%
% Unknown races
3%
3%
Diversity Score
0.69
0.74
Showing 2011–2025. View full 19-year historical data
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
32%
29%
Showing 2015–2025. View full 19-year historical data
Median Earnings 10 Years After Entry (measured in 2022-2023, in 2024 dollars)
$49,504
$48,096
Points are in the dollars of their own College Scorecard release, and the colleges behind the state line differ by period. The lines do not show inflation-adjusted growth.
Tuition & Financial Aid
The public in-state tuition of $5,845 is more than the state average of $5,633. The in-state tuition has declined by 17% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $7,557 is less than the state average of $7,892. The out-state tuition has declined by 16% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$5,845
$5,633
Out-State Tuition Fees
$7,557
$7,892
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
75%
73%
Showing 2013–2025. View full 19-year historical data
Median Debt for Graduates
$9,000
$10,250
Showing 2008–2020. View full 14-year historical data
Median Debt for Dropouts
$5,500
$5,500
Showing 2008–2020. View full 14-year historical data
Source: 2025 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does College of Southern Maryland cost?
College of Southern Maryland's tuition is approximately $5,845 for In-State students and $7,557 for Out-State students.
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