College of Southern Maryland
#7 Best Online Colleges in Maryland- Graduation Rate
- 33% D
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $44,435 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $9,204 B+
- 46% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 4,512
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 29.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $29.9 over 20 years. Ranked #7 in Best Online Colleges in Maryland.
Every $1 spent returns $29.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,065,538.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Graduation of 33% — 42% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $29.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why College of Southern Maryland Matters
College of Southern Maryland is a public college in La Plata, MD and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public College
- Carnegie Class
- Associate's College
- Enrollment
- 4,512
- Setting
- Rural
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Computer Science & IT
Why students choose College of Southern Maryland
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $9,204 a year after grants and scholarships — 46% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $44,435 ten years after enrolling — 9% above the typical college, against $8,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.3% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 57% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.57 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of just over 4,500 students, the College of Southern Maryland is a solid choice for those looking to gain practical skills in fields like Humanities, Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Computer Science & IT, and Engineering. This college fits students who appreciate a more intimate campus experience and are eager to jump into programs that can lead to meaningful careers. The focus here is on preparing students for the workforce, which can be a big draw for those looking to get a head start on their careers.
Looking ahead, graduates can expect to earn around $44,435 within ten years of completing their programs. That’s a decent starting point for many, especially considering the affordability of attending this school. With a net price of $9,204 after aid, it’s accessible for a wide range of students, and the median debt of $8,500 is manageable for many graduates. This financial outlook suggests that students can successfully transition into the workforce without being burdened by excessive debt.
When we consider who tends to thrive here, it’s often those who are self-motivated and ready to engage with their studies. The college attracts a diverse group of learners, including a significant number who rely on Pell Grants, indicating a strong commitment to supporting low-income students. With a 33% graduation rate, it’s clear that while the journey may be challenging, many students find their footing and emerge ready to take on the world after graduation.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective College of Southern Maryland is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into College of Southern Maryland? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in La Plata, Maryland, College of Southern Maryland enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 33%.
- Retention Rate
- 66%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,323
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.71
- First-Gen Students
- 45%
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend College of Southern Maryland? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at College of Southern Maryland is $10,050, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $9,204. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $4,798 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $8,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $4,200
- Out-of-State
- $10,050
- Avg Net Price
- $9,204
- Median Debt
- $8,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 26%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 46%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $4,798
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $5,287
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $7,895
- Family Income $110K+
- $12,180
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at College of Southern Maryland — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is College of Southern Maryland Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of College of Southern Maryland report median earnings of $44,435, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $37,269
- 8 Years
- $40,875
- 10 Years
- $44,435
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.19x
- Earning > $25K
- 53%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (164)
- 16%
- 100% (164)
- 16%
- 100% (164)
- 16%
- 100% (164)
- 16%
How College Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is College of Southern Maryland Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, College of Southern Maryland delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $9,204/year ($36,816 total). Graduates earn $44,435 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,102,354 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,065,538 (29.9× your investment). The median debt is $8,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 33% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $36,816
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,102,354
- Net Return
- $1,065,538
- ROI Multiple
- 29.9×
- Cost Per Year
- $9,204
- Median Debt
- $8,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 33%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does College of Southern Maryland Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
College of Southern Maryland is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.34%, well above the typical college. About 7.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 18.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $90,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.34%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 18.7%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 7.2%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $123,094
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $9,402,517
- Investment Income
- $83,805
Top Programs
The fields College of Southern Maryland awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Humanities 62%
- Business & Marketing 13% $39,605 early-career
- Health Professions 9% $67,300 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 8%
- Engineering 1%
- Education 1%
- Criminal Justice 1%
- Visual & Performing Arts 0%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for College of Southern Maryland's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into College of Southern Maryland? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in La Plata, Maryland, College of Southern Maryland enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 33%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend College of Southern Maryland? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at College of Southern Maryland is $10,050, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $9,204. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $4,798 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $8,500 in federal student loans.
Is College of Southern Maryland Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of College of Southern Maryland report median earnings of $44,435, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does College of Southern Maryland Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
College of Southern Maryland is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.34%, well above the typical college. About 7.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 18.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $90,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is College of Southern Maryland? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at College of Southern Maryland. Its economic connectedness score is 1.57, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to College of Southern Maryland.
- Estrella Mountain Community CollegeAvondale, AZ · Close peer29% grad $44,356 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- McHenry County CollegeCrystal Lake, IL · Close peer38% grad $45,143 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Southeast Community College AreaLincoln, NE · Close peer36% grad $43,405 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- NorthWest Arkansas Community CollegeBentonville, AR · Close peer29% grad $43,505 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Western Technical CollegeLa Crosse, WI · Close peer36% grad $45,303 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Merritt CollegeOakland, CA · Close peer23% grad $44,392 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is College of Southern Maryland? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at College of Southern Maryland. Its economic connectedness score is 1.57, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note