- College of San Mateo, the first community college in San Mateo County, is an open-access, student-focused, teaching and learning institution which serves the diverse educational, economic, social and cultural needs of its students and the community. By offering comprehensive, quality programs and services and by measuring student learning, College of San Mateo educates students to participate successfully in a changing world.
School Highlights
College of San Mateo serves 9,901 students (22% of students are full-time).
The college's student-teacher ratio of 41:1 is lower than the state community college average of 44:1.
Minority enrollment is 75% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 77%.
Quick Facts (2026)
- Enrollment: 9,901 students
- In-state tuition: $1,418
- Out-state tuition: $6,206
- Student-teacher ratio: 41:1
- Minority enrollment: 75%
- Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
Top Rankings
College of San Mateo ranks among the top 20% of public schools in California for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
School Overview
The teacher population of 241 teachers has declined by 32% over five years.
College of San Mateo
(CA) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges
Associate's Colleges: High Transfer-High Traditional
Institution Level
Less than 2 yrs
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Total Faculty
241 staff
72 staff
School Calendar
Student Body
The student population of College of San Mateo has grown by 32% over five years.
The student-teacher ratio of 41:1 has increased from 23:1 over five years.
The College of San Mateo diversity score of 0.76 is more than the state average of 0.00. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment
9,901 students
2,140 students
Student-Teacher Ratio
41:1
44:1
# Full-Time Students
2,209 students
1,022 students
# Part-Time Students
7,692 students
5,816 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
2,209 students
2,055 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
2,209 students
967 students
% Asian
25%
12%
% Hispanic
33%
46%
% Black
3%
7%
% White
25%
23%
% Hawaiian
2%
n/a
% Two or more races
7%
5%
% Non Resident races
3%
1%
% Unknown races
3%
6%
Diversity Score
0.76
0.00
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
47%
42%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$44,000
$34,700
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
The public in-state tuition of $1,418 is more than the state average of $1,236. The in-state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $6,206 is less than the state average of $6,577. The out-state tuition has declined by 45% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$1,418
$1,236
Out-State Tuition Fees
$6,206
$6,577
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
80%
85%
Median Debt for Graduates
$12,000
$10,500
Median Debt for Dropouts
$5,500
$6,272
Source: 2025 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators
School Notes
- College of San Mateo, the first community college in San Mateo County, is an open-access, student-focused, teaching and learning institution which serves the diverse educational, economic, social and cultural needs of its students and the community. By offering comprehensive, quality programs and services and by measuring student learning, College of San Mateo educates students to participate successfully in a changing world. College of San Mateo is part of the San Mateo County Community College District (SMCCCD), along with Canda College in Redwood City and Skyline College in San Bruno. College of San Mateo is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does College of San Mateo cost?
College of San Mateo's tuition is approximately $1,418 for In-State students and $6,206 for Out-State students.
What is College of San Mateo's ranking?
College of San Mateo ranks among the top 20% of community college in California for: Diversity in US community colleges.
In what neighborhood is College of San Mateo located?
College of San Mateo is located in the Western Hills neighborhood of San Mateo, CA.
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