Pierce College vs. CSM

Los Angeles Pierce College and College of San Mateo side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Los Angeles Pierce College
College of San Mateo

At a glance

  • Cheaper after aid: CSM. Average net price is $5,831 vs $14,469 at Pierce College.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Pierce College $39,800 vs CSM $44,800 (median).
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Key differences

Los Angeles Pierce College College of San Mateo
Acceptance rate
Pierce College-
CSM-
SAT range (middle 50%)
Pierce College-
CSM-
Average net price
CSM $8,638 less
Pierce College$14,469
CSM$5,831
In-state tuition
Pierce College $94 less
Pierce College$1,238
CSM$1,332
Out-of-state tuition
Pierce College $812 less
Pierce College$10,572
CSM$11,384
Graduation rate
Pierce College-
CSM-
Median earnings (10 years)
CSM +$5,000
Pierce College$39,800
CSM$44,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Pierce College -
  • CSM -
  • Admitted
  • Pierce College -
  • CSM -
  • Acceptance rate
  • Pierce College Open
  • CSM Open
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Pierce College Open
  • CSM Open
  • Typical SAT score
  • Pierce College
  • CSM
  • Typical ACT score
  • Pierce College
  • CSM
  • Average high school GPA
  • Pierce College -
  • CSM -
  • Typical high school grades
  • Pierce College -
  • CSM -
  • Admissions standards
  • Pierce College Unavailable
  • CSM Unavailable
  • Applicant competition
  • Pierce College
  • CSM
  • SAT range
  • Pierce College
  • CSM
  • ACT range
  • Pierce College
  • CSM
  • Submit test scores
  • Pierce College Open admission
  • CSM Open admission
  • Application deadline
  • Pierce College Aug 20, 2027
  • CSM
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Pierce College $1,238
  • CSM $1,332
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Pierce College $10,572
  • CSM $11,384
  • Room & board
  • Pierce College $25,407
  • CSM $31,288
  • Average net price
  • Pierce College $14,469
  • CSM $5,831
  • Average grant aid
  • Pierce College $6,398
  • CSM $4,386
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Pierce College 71%
  • CSM 80%
  • Graduation rate
  • Pierce College -
  • CSM -
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Pierce College $39,800
  • CSM $44,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Pierce College 33%
  • CSM 58%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Pierce College $10,500
  • CSM $7,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Pierce College $108
  • CSM $72
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Pierce College 30:1
  • CSM 24:1
  • Popular majors
  • Pierce College
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (60%)
    • Work and Family Studies (9%)
    • Health Professions (6%)
    • General Studies (5%)
    • Mechanic and Repair Technologies (5%)
  • CSM
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (19%)
    • Health Professions (17%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (12%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Location
  • Pierce College Woodland Hills, CA
  • CSM San Mateo, CA
  • Setting
  • Pierce College Large City
  • CSM Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Pierce College 16,906
  • CSM 9,901
  • Type
  • Pierce College Public 2 Year
  • CSM Public 2 Year
  • National ranking
  • Pierce College
  • CSM

Comparable Facts

Compare Los Angeles Pierce College in Woodland Hills, CA with College of San Mateo in San Mateo, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Los Angeles Pierce College is larger than CSM based on total student enrollment (16,906 students vs. 9,901 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Los Angeles Pierce College is located in Woodland Hills, CA (Large City setting); College of San Mateo is in San Mateo, CA (Small City setting).
  • Los Angeles Pierce College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. College of San Mateo is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Los Angeles Pierce College 30:1; College of San Mateo 24:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Los Angeles Pierce College are 18.8% lower than at College of San Mateo ($25,407 vs. $31,288).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 7.7% higher at CSM than at Los Angeles Pierce College (about $812 more per year; $11,384 vs. $10,572).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of San Mateo than at Los Angeles Pierce College (80% vs. 71%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Los Angeles Pierce College students is 45.9% larger than aid received by College of San Mateo students ($6,398 vs. $4,386).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are open admission at both Pierce College and CSM.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Pierce College Aug 20, 2027.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, College of San Mateo graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Pierce College graduates ($7,000 vs. $10,500).
  • Among borrowers, CSM graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pierce College graduates ($72 vs. $108).
  • More CSM graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pierce College students, three years after graduation (58% vs. 33%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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