College of Southern Maryland (CSM) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About College of Southern Maryland
Set in Southern Maryland where small-town streets meet wide-open waterways, the College of Southern Maryland in La Plata is known for clear transfer pathways and career-focused teaching. Faculty favor hands-on learning across science and tech, health, business, public service, and the arts. Students find steady support in advising, tutoring, writing help, counseling, and a library and learning commons that stays lively all day.
Campus life mixes clubs, service projects, performances, and low-key hangouts, with fitness spaces, intramurals, studios, and labs to explore. The vibe is friendly and no-nonsense, with many students balancing work and family. Career services link learners to internships, job-shadowing, employer visits, and strong transfer guidance. As a multi-campus college, schedules run day-evening-online. And the surrounding community brings small-town warmth, outdoor space to breathe, plus reach to the wider Washington region for culture and opportunity.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
College of Southern Maryland (CSM) offers 42 degree programs across 14 major academic fields, graduating approximately 1,293 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Liberal Arts (2 programs, 581 graduates), Business (6 programs, 198 graduates), Health (11 programs, 193 graduates), Computer & IT (4 programs, 176 graduates) and Engineering (3 programs, 32 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Liberal Arts (2 programs, 581 graduates)
Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Humanities | 338 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
24.0199 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | 243 |
|
Associate's
|
24.0101 |
Business (6 programs, 198 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 77 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
52.0201 |
| Business Administration | 58 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
52.0101 |
| Accounting and Bookkeeping Technology | 53 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
52.0302 |
| Administrative Assistant Science | 7 |
|
Other Award
|
52.0401 |
| Retail Management | 2 |
|
Other Award
|
52.0212 |
| Hospitality Management | 1 |
|
Associate's
|
52.0901 |
Health (11 programs, 193 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | 104 |
|
Associate's
|
51.3801 |
| Emergency Medical Technology | 21 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
51.0904 |
| Mental and Social Health Services | 21 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
51.1599 |
| Health Information Technology | 11 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
51.0707 |
| Licensed Practical Nursing | 11 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
51.3901 |
| Health and Medical Preparatory Programs | 8 |
|
Associate's
|
51.1199 |
| Physical Therapy Assistant | 5 |
|
Associate's
|
51.0806 |
| Psychiatric and Mental Health Services Technician | 5 |
|
Other Award
|
51.1502 |
| Medical Administrative Assistant | 4 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
51.0716 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technician | 2 |
|
Associate's
|
51.1004 |
| Pharmacy Technician | 1 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
51.0805 |
Computer & IT (4 programs, 176 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Information Systems Security and Auditing | 105 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
11.1003 |
| Information Technology | 39 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
11.0103 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | 28 |
|
Associate's
|
11.0101 |
| Computer Programming | 4 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
11.0201 |
Engineering (3 programs, 32 graduates)
Engineering Sciences and Applied Technology Solutions
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Engineering | 22 |
|
Associate's
|
14.0101 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering | 9 |
|
Associate's
|
14.1001 |
| Computer Engineering | 1 |
|
Associate's
|
14.0901 |
Security & Safety (3 programs, 25 graduates)
Emergency Management, Law Enforcement and Public Safety
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice Administration | 22 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
43.0103 |
| Homeland Security | 2 |
|
Associate's
|
43.0301 |
| Fire Science and Firefighting | 1 |
|
Associate's
|
43.0203 |
Education (3 programs, 24 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary Education | 10 |
|
Associate's
|
13.1202 |
| General Education | 7 |
|
Associate's
|
13.0101 |
| Early Childhood Education | 7 |
|
Associate's
|
13.1210 |
Arts (2 programs, 19 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advertising and Commercial Art | 11 |
|
Other Award
|
50.0402 |
| Photography | 8 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
50.0605 |
Communication (2 programs, 13 graduates)
Media Communications, Journalism and Public Relations
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Media and Multimedia | 9 |
|
Associate's
|
09.0702 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 4 |
|
Associate's
|
09.0199 |
Eng. Technologies (2 programs, 10 graduates)
Applied Engineering Technologies and Technical Support
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAD and CADD Drafting and Design Technology | 6 |
|
Other Award
|
15.1302 |
| Engineering Technologies, Other | 4 |
|
Associate's
|
15.9999 |
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about College of Southern Maryland (CSM)
How much does it cost to attend College of Southern Maryland (CSM)?
The annual tuition at College of Southern Maryland (CSM) is $7,350 for in-state students and $9,450 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $8,350 for in-state students and $10,450 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $15,456 (off-campus) and books and supplies $1,000.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does College of Southern Maryland offer?
College of Southern Maryland (CSM) offers 42 academic programs across 14 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Certificate (1-2 yrs), Associate's, Other Award.
Most popular program areas include:
- Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities (2 programs)
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (6 programs)
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (11 programs)
- Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity (4 programs)
- Engineering Sciences and Applied Technology Solutions (3 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at College of Southern Maryland?
College of Southern Maryland (CSM) provides financial aid to 12% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $5,424 and average loans of $5,732.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $6,064
- State/Local grants: $2,053
- Institutional grants: $2,059
- Federal loans: $5,700
The university supports 297 students with grants and 420 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for College of Southern Maryland graduates?
College of Southern Maryland (CSM) graduates earn a median salary of $37,269 after 6 years and $44,435 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $23,525 (25th percentile) to $70,743 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $80,300 (90th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
Related Universities
Found something useful? Help others discover it too! Share with friends, on social media, or save for later - every share helps someone find the information they need.