College of San Mateo
About College of San Mateo
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
The College of San Mateo teaches on a hillside above the peninsula, halfway between San Francisco and Silicon Valley, and is a Hispanic-Serving Institution. The social sciences, business and psychology are its largest programs.
Founded
1922
Location
San Mateo, California
Students
7,977
Institution
Community College
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
Open
Admits all qualified applicants
Graduation Rate
60.8%
Near national average
In-State Tuition
$1,332
Out-of-state: $11,384
Avg Net Price
$536
After financial aid
SAT Average
Not required
No test scores requested
Median Earnings
$54,172
10 years after enrollment
Admissions
How competitive is getting in?
Selectivity
Open Admission
Every applicant who meets the basic requirements is admitted, so there is no acceptance rate
How to Apply
Test Policy
No test needed
Application Fee
Free
Early
N/A
Deadline
Rolling
Academics
How strong is the academic experience?
Student Success
Average
60.8% complete their degree within three years
Retention
72.6%
Transfer Out
12%
Teaching Quality
25:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
41%
$/Student
$6.1K
Class Size
Large
60.8% of students graduate on time. That's above the national average, but researching academic support resources before you enroll is always a smart move.
Tuition & Costs
What will you actually pay?
Tuition & Fees
$1,332
In-State
$11,384
Out-of-State
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
No on-campus housing
Books & Supplies
$1,971
Total Cost of Attendance
$10,837
After Financial Aid
$536
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
$-1,310
Receive Grants
10.9%
Take Loans
0.6%
Don't let the $1,332 sticker price scare you. Most students pay around $536 after financial aid, a 60% discount. Families earning under $30K pay closer to $-1,310.
Financial Aid
Who gets aid and what happens after
Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at College of San Mateo fund their education.
While in School
10.9%
Get Grants
Free money
0.6%
Take Loans
Must repay
$20,282
Median Family Income
After Graduation
$14,695
Median Debt at Graduation
Total federal loan balance when students graduate
$156/mo
Monthly Payment
0%
LowDefault Rate
The median debt is just $14,695, and less than 0% of graduates default on their loans. Students here leave with very manageable financial obligations.
Student Body
Diversity, gender, and enrollment
From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends College of San Mateo.
Gender
52.4%
Female
48%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
7,977
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
N/A
Graduates
51%
First-Gen
23 yrs
Avg Age
32.3%
Age 25+
The campus has a balanced gender split (52% women, 48% men). 51% are first-generation college students, so there's a strong community of students who understand that experience.
Campus Life
What it's like to be a student here
Campus Setting
City: Midsize
Campus Quick Facts
7,977
Students
community
Institution
Medium
Campus Size
N/A
Classification
What This College Offers
Semester calendar
Study Abroad
Yes
AP Credit
Yes
Teacher Cert
No
ROTC
No
Evening College
Yes
Online Programs
Yes
Job Placement
Yes
Career Counseling
Yes
Sports & Athletics
How seriously this college takes sport
College of San Mateo fields 10 varsity teams with 287 student athletes, about 4% of the student body.
Division
CCCAA
California Community College Athletic Association
Conference
Not reported
Only collected for NCAA and NAIA teams
Varsity Sports
10
Biggest: Football
Student Athletes
287
4% of the student body
Athletes by Gender
67% / 33%
192
Men
95
Women
7
Men's Teams
8
Women's Teams
Biggest Teams
Every Varsity Team
After Graduation
What can you earn with this degree?
How much do graduates of College of San Mateoearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.
Earnings Trajectory
$54,172
Median Earnings · 10 Years After
Popular Programs
Top 6Social Sciences, General
$53K
154 grads
4yr Earnings
Business Administration, Management and Operations
$72K
126 grads
4yr Earnings
Psychology, General
$50K
66 grads
4yr Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
$145K
51 grads
4yr Earnings
Communication and Media Studies
$65K
45 grads
4yr Earnings
Economics
—
43 grads
Graduates earn about $44K six years out, growing to $54K by year ten. Above average, though your choice of major will be the biggest factor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about College of San Mateo
How much does College of San Mateo cost?▾
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Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.