College of Southern Maryland Maryland

Rural Maryland community college serving 4,984 students with low tuition and transfer-focused liberal arts curricula.

College statistics

Address:
8730 Mitchell Rd
La Plata, MD
20646
Sector Group:
Public 2-Year
Official Website:
www.csmd.edu/
Setting:
Rural
Research Activity Tier:
No research designation
Economic Mobility Index:
Higher Access, Lower Earnings
Primary Undergraduate Major:
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

College of Southern Maryland is a public two-year institution located in La Plata, Maryland, serving the rural southern region of the state. The college enrolls nearly 5,000 students and focuses on general liberal arts and sciences coursework as preparation for transfer to four-year institutions or direct entry into the workforce.

In-state tuition is $3,360 annually, with out-of-state tuition at $7,560. These costs represent the total cost of attendance for students, making the college an economical entry point for higher education in the region. The institution serves students across a wide range of academic backgrounds and financial circumstances.

As a community college, CSM functions primarily as a transfer pathway, allowing students to complete their first two years of coursework before moving to bachelor's degree programs elsewhere. The college is best suited for students seeking an affordable start to a four-year degree, those exploring career options before committing to a specific program, or working adults balancing education with other responsibilities. For more information, visit www.csmd.edu/.