College of San Mateo | Everything you need to know

San Mateo College (CSM) is a public community college in San Mateo, California. It is a community college in the San Mateo County Community College District. It is located on a 153-acre campus in the San Mateo hills, close to the northern corridor of Silicon Valley. Architect John Carl Warnecke designed the campus. Currently, the institution serves around 10,000 day, evening, and weekend students. Students at CSM have a variety of educational objectives and represent the diversity of the Bay Area. The curriculum provides a wide range of programs to serve the students best, including traditional, semester-length, short courses, and remote learning. Let’s find out more about this popular community college.

San Mateo College | Courses & programs

CSM offers more than 90 associate degree programs and 100 certificate programs. Some popular programs at CSM include business administration, computer science, nursing, early childhood education, engineering, and psychology. The college also offers art, biology, chemistry, communication studies, English, history, mathematics, philosophy, physics, political science, and sociology courses.

In addition to traditional classroom instruction, CSM offers online and hybrid courses, combining online and on-campus learning. The college also provides various student support services, including counseling, tutoring, career services, and disability resources.

Courses

Administration of Justice – Public Safety Training	Global Studies
Anthropology	Geography
Aquatics	Geology
Architecture	History
Art	Health Science
American Sign Language	Individual Sports
Astronomy	Interdisciplinary Studies
Biology	Kinesiology, Athletics, and Dance
Building Inspection Technology	Kinesiology
Business	Learning Center
Business Microcomputer Applications – Windows Platform	Library Studies
Chemistry	Literature
Chinese	Learning Skills
Computer and Information Science	Mathematics
Communication Studies	Management
Cooperative Education	Music
Cosmetology	Nursing
Counseling	Oceanography
Career and Life Planning	Paleontology
Dance	Philosophy
Dental Assisting	Physical Education Theory
Digital Media	Physics
Drafting Technology	Political Science
Economics	Physical Science
Electronics Technology	Psychology
Electrical Apprenticeship	Real Estate
English	Sociology
Engineering	Social Science
English Second Language	Spanish
	Team Sports
	Varsity Sports

You can use the Academic & Career Communities to explore the College of San Mateo’s degrees, certifications, and other educational possibilities. Each community has unique activities and a committed group of faculty, staff, and counselors to assist you as a student.

Housing at the College of San Mateo

The luxury amenities available at CSM apartments include a pool, a BBQ area, a hot tub, a clubhouse, a gym, and, most significantly, round-the-clock security. 

The apartments typically come with two bedrooms and two bathrooms. They have a living room, dining area, and fully equipped kitchen (stove, microwave, oven, fridge/freezer, and dishwasher). You can avail of the single rooms upon a separate request. 

Each flat has a TV, internet, cable TV, washer/dryer, bed, desk, and closet. Students may personalize their apartments by hanging their favorite posters or family photos.

Living and community at the College of San Mateo

Be part of a community

Living with your classmates is one of the most admirable aspects of studying in the US. Many first-year students choose to spend their second year in the same community. This results in a great environment. You’ll quickly get to know people you like, and college professors will help you.

More Than Just Facilities

You may always keep occupied with the numerous social events that come with your accommodation, like dining out, trips to see the NBA, go-karting, and cooking classes. Your adviser can help you with everything you require, whether a trip to the doctor’s office or assistance with a car purchase.

Local area

Apartments on the campus of California Silicon Valley are near the institution of higher learning. Right across the street is a shopping complex with a wide variety of delectable international restaurants; it’s the perfect place to load up on tacos, sushi, noodles, and anything else you want to try! 

There are numerous things to do in and around San Mateo, and California’s weather is great for outdoor pursuits. You may “shop ’til you drop,” go kitesurfing at Coyote Point, mountain bike up Sawyer Camp Trail, or simply relax at one of the many beaches or parks near Hillsdale Shopping Center.

San Francisco can be reached in 30 minutes or less with the Caltrain, a convenient passenger rail route, making it simple to take advantage of what this famous city offers. Take a cable car ride, dine at acclaimed restaurants, browse for designer apparel, eat the best burritos in the world, and visit the largest Chinatown outside of Asia!

CSM Rankings

College of San Mateo is consistently ranked top community college.

Best Associate Degrees in California	No 4 Best Community Colleges in SF Bay Area
Best Accredited Colleges, 2023	No 8 Best Community Colleges in California
No 1 Best Associate Degree Colleges in California	No 24 Best Hispanic-Serving Institutions in America
Best Associate Degrees in California	No 29 Best Community Colleges in America
UniversityHQ, 2023	The Best Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Programs in California
No 3 Best Associate Degree Colleges in California	Nursing Schools Almanac, 2022
10 Most Affordable Exercise Science and Kinesiology Associate’s Degrees	No 71 The Best Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Programs in California
Best Health Degrees, 2023	Top 50 Best Community Colleges for 2021
6 Ten Most Affordable Exercise Science and Kinesiology Associate’s Degrees	Wallet Hub, 2022
10 Most Affordable Exercise Science and Kinesiology Associate’s Degrees	No 17 Best & Worst Community Colleges
Niche Best Colleges, 2023	Top 50 Best Community Colleges for 2021
Value Colleges, 2021	
No 2 Top 50 Best Community Colleges	

Key takeaways

• College of San Mateo is a higher-than-average public institution in San Mateo, California, in the San Francisco Bay Area. 
• Popular majors include business, social science research methods, and liberal arts and humanities. 
• The College of San Mateo graduates earn a starting income of $29,000, with 49% graduating.
• CSM is a modest institution with an enrollment of 1,342 undergraduate students. 

Attending a community college before transferring to a major university has become a popular option for international students. To know more about other community colleges in the US,  get in touch with us by clicking here.  We would be happy to assist you with your queries.

Liked this blog? Read next: Seven compelling reasons to join Capella University

FAQs

Q1. Is the College of San Mateo public or private?

Ans. College of San Mateo is a public institution in San Mateo, California. 

Q2. What is the total enrolment of the College of San Mateo?

Ans. Its campus is located in a suburb with a total enrollment of 8,924. 

Q3. What is the GPA requirement for the College of San Mateo?

Ans. The College of San Mateo in the United States of America requires students to maintain a minimum GPA of 2 in order to stand a good chance to get admission.