College of Southern Maryland
La Plata, MD, USA

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Affordability and Cost

Average Net Price Average net price for full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates paying the in-state or in-district tuition rate who were awarded grant or scholarship aid from federal, state or local governments, or the institution. Other sources of grant aid are excluded. Aid awarded anytime during the full aid year is included.

Average net price is generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state or local government, or institutional grant and scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. Total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies and the weighted average room and board and other expenses.
$8,205
Calculate your net cost
Average Net Price By Family Income
Income
Average Amount
< $30k
$4,672
$30k - $48k
$5,569
$48k - $75k
$7,930
$75k - $110k
$10,096
$110k+
$11,349
Tuition
In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.
$7,200
Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school.
$9,240
Additional Costs
Books and Supplies
$2,012
Tuition Payment Plan
Yes
Financial Aid: visit page

Aid & Grants

0
100
35%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
21%
Average Aid Per Year
$4,105
Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
21%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$3,089
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$1,881
Students receiving state aid
26%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$1,839
Students receiving federal aid
66%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$3,089
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$12,033,971
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants
$287,663

Student Loans

Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
11%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$5,331
Students receiving federal loans
10%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$4,996
Average Other Loans Per Year
$8,557
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$5,500
Loan Default Rate
8%
US National: 7%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$95

What Students Are Saying

CSM is definitely a money saver. It is somewhat pricey compared to other community colleges, but with its ongoing progress in size and quality, CSM is most definitely worth it.
Tyler from LA Plata, MD
The College of CSM gives you more experience and value for your money and always have ways to save you money. Such as scholarships, book sales or wholesale buy backs.
Kaitlin from Hughesville, MD
I am taking all my core classes here. Because I'm getting all of my General Education credits out of the way at a community college, I am saving thousands of dollars, while learning the same stuff I would be learning had I attended a state university or private college from the start. Going to CSM is a smart choice.

Just remember if you live outside Charles County or St. Mary's County, you may have to spend quite a bit more, because you may not be zoned for any of the campuses. Always check online for details.
Sarah from Waldorf, MD
The College of Southern Maryland is very affordable. You get great professors, small classes, and a quality education for a very low price. Many of the credits transfer to in state schools.

The only drawback is that there is not a very large selection of classes for some of the programs such as Foreign Language and Political Science. They also do not have very many upper level courses. I have to transfer after just a year so that I do not fall behind.
The class and tuition prices are very reasonable, but we all need a little help sometimes.
Kayla from Waldorf, MD