College of Southern Maryland, La Plata

What College of Southern Maryland, La Plata does

The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) is a public community college established in 1978 and headquartered in La Plata, Maryland, serving Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary's counties through four campuses (La Plata, Leonardtown, Prince Frederick, Regional Hughesville) plus the Velocity Center innovation hub in Indian Head. The institution delivers associate degrees, certificates, transfer pathways to four-year universities, workforce training, and continuing education across credit and non-credit programs, with a 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio and a catalog spanning Nursing, Business Administration, Engineering, Trades, Information Technology, and emerging programs such as Vertical Agriculture Systems and Pharmacy Technician. CSM generates revenue primarily through per-credit-hour tuition and fees, supplemented by continuing education and workforce contracts, federal/state grants (e.g., a $490,000 Tri-County Council grant for vertical agriculture), and CSM Foundation donations ($1.6M raised from 514 donors in 2023). The institution operates as a government state entity under a Board of Trustees appointed by the Governor of Maryland, with Dr. Yolanda Wilson serving as President and the college maintaining 200+ transfer agreements with 50+ four-year universities, accreditation compliance (FERPA, HIPAA, Pharmacy Technician), and Military Friendly Gold recognition for eight consecutive years. Technology assets include a VEX-competitive robotics program (Talons, ranked 13th worldwide), a campus AI Task Force and roadmap launched in 2026, a Makerspace with 3D printers/CNC/laser cutters, and CSM-TV cable access broadcasting. Customer segments span traditional college students, dual-enrollment high schoolers, military/veterans (700+ students using GI benefits), adult learners, English language learners, and corporate workforce development clients, with notable institutional customers including Charles County Public Schools, St. Mary's County Nursing Center, and MedStar St. Mary's Hospital.

Name

College of Southern Maryland, La Plata

Legal name

College of Southern Maryland

Website

https://csmd.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Public community college serving Southern Maryland's tri-county region through four campuses, offering associate degrees, certificates, workforce training, and transfer pathways to four-year universities, with recent expansion into vertical agriculture, AI curriculum integration, and military-friendly programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community College Education

NAICS

Junior Colleges (6112), Junior Colleges (61121), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Community Colleges (EDAHADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Comprehensive Community Colleges (Transfer + Workforce) (EDAHADAE), Junior Colleges (Associate-Degree Granting) (EDAHADAC), Transfer/University-Parallel Community Colleges (EDAHADAF)

Keywords

• Community college education
• Associate degree programs
• Workforce development training
• Continuing education services
• Transfer pathway programs

Headquarters

HQ city

La Plata

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Credit Tuition and Fees: Tuition and fees charged per credit hour for degree-seeking students pursuing associate degrees and certificates. Student savings of $31,000 average compared to completing first two years at four-year institution.
2. Continuing Education and Workforce Development: Non-credit programs including workforce training, personal enrichment, adult basic education, and Kids' & Teen College. Separate funding structure with dedicated Division of Continuing Education and Workforce Development.
3. Grant Funding: $490,000 grant from Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland funded the vertical agriculture program. Additional grants support microelectronics partnerships, youth apprenticeships, and various workforce development initiatives.
4. Donations and Foundation Support: CSM Foundation raises funds from donors. Community donated $1.6 million from 514 donors in 2023. Educational Systems Federal Credit Union provided $100,000 gift as part of renewed partnership.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

College of Southern Maryland is a public community college delivering credit-bearing associate degrees, academic certificates, and transfer pathways to four-year universities, alongside non-credit continuing education, workforce development, and K-12 dual enrollment across five campuses. The institution serves Southern Maryland's tri-county region with tuition-based individual enrollment, employer-customized training, and community programs such as Nursing, Business Administration, Vertical Agriculture Systems, and Engineering tracks.

Product overview

College of Southern Maryland (CSM) is a community college offering a diverse portfolio of educational programs and student services across five campuses. The institution operates as a multi-product educational services provider, including: academic degree programs (Nursing, Business Administration, Engineering tracks), certificate programs (Vertical Agriculture Systems, Pharmacy Technician, Medical Laboratory Technology), workforce development initiatives (Continuing Education and Workforce Development Division), specialized facilities (Makerspace at Velocity Center, CSM-TV cable station), mobile applications (CSM Safe App), and student leadership programs (Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. Leadership Academy, Hawk Pitch innovation competitions). The college also runs Early College partnerships with local school systems and hosts the Talons competitive robotics team.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. Center for Leadership: Leadership development center dedicated to building an inclusive and engaged community through education, civic engagement, and social responsibility
• Velocity Center
• CSM-TV
• Hawk Pitch
• College Innovation Alliance (C.I.A.)
• Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. Leadership Academy

Products and services

• Vertical Agriculture Systems Certificate Program Certificate program in controlled environment agriculture using LED lighting and hydroponic systems for indoor crop production, preparing students for careers in the controlled environment agriculture industry.
• Nursing Program Associate degree nursing program preparing students to take the NCLEX-RN and become registered nurses through in-lab experiences and cutting-edge simulation technology.
• Business Administration Program Business program developing skills to launch and manage businesses while building leadership and professional skills for long-term success.
• Makerspace at Velocity Center Makerspace facility at the Velocity Center in Indian Head providing access to cutting-edge technology including 3D printers/scanners, CNC router, laser cutters, and electronic equipment for innovators and entrepreneurs.
• CSM-TV Cable Access Station Cable access station producing high-quality educational and informational programming, simulcast on Comcast Channel 98 and Verizon Channel 16 in Charles County.
• CSM Safe Mobile App Mobile safety application featuring real-time notifications, campus maps, newsfeed access, and immediate alerts for emergencies, delayed openings, traffic congestion, and safety threats.
• Early College Program Partnership program with local high schools allowing students to experience being full-time college students, earn college credits, and complete career/technical education certifications while still in high school.
• Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. Leadership Academy Leadership development academy fostering ethical, responsible, civic-minded student leaders through education, empowerment, and commitment to service, with scholarship and certificate awarded upon completion.
• Talons Robotics Competition Team Competitive robotics team participating in VEX Robotics collegiate competitions, achieving 13th worldwide ranking at the VexU World Championship in the Skills category and 20th worldwide in Research.
• Continuing Education and Workforce Development Training Non-credit programs including workforce training, professional development, personal enrichment, adult basic education, and Kids' & Teen College delivered through the Division of Continuing Education and Workforce Development.

Quantifiable outcome

• Students save an average of $31,000 completing first two years at CSM vs. four-year institution
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Tri-County Council for Southern MarylandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Provided $490,000 grant to launch the Vertical Agriculture Systems program at CSM, which includes hands-on hydroponic training and a 10-rack system from Karma Verde Fresh for the controlled environment agriculture industry.
• University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUMGC opened a location at CSM's La Plata Campus, making transfer to four-year degree seamless. CSM is one of UMGC's largest transfer partners. Discounted tuition for transfer students.
• Charles County Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEarly College Program expansion includes career and technical education pathways with certifications in medical coding, pharmacy technician, and electrical trades. Expanded to include all seven high schools for rising juniors and seniors.
• Calvert County Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEarly College partnership offering tuition-free early start to higher education for rising high school seniors. Pilot program open to 20 students from county's four high schools.
• St. Mary's County Nursing CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThree-year partnership (2023) meeting nursing workforce needs with impressive student outcomes. Partnership supported clinical placements and employment pipeline.
• University System of Maryland Southern Maryland (USMSM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouthern Maryland ENTRY Program offers seamless path to engineering bachelor's degree. Night of Engineering events showcase Electrical and Mechanical Engineering pathways.
• National Science Foundation (NSF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with regional institutions and NSF to develop next generation of electrical and computer engineering employees for domestic microelectronics manufacturing workforce.
• Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft DivisioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with CSM for Velocity X 2024 Hackathon to implement AI image classification model challenge transferable to military applications.
• Institute for American ApprenticeshipsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIAA and partners awarded $1 million Maryland Works grant to establish youth apprenticeships for technical trades addressing employment barriers for underserved populations.
• The Patuxent PartnershipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering scholarship program (TPP Pathways Scholarship) awarding area high school graduates to attend CSM for engineering studies, building regional workforce pipeline.
• Bureau of Land Management Eastern StatesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint environmental career symposium with Chesapeake Conservancy and CSM at Velocity Center introducing students to environmental science and stewardship careers.
• American Association of Community CollegesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAACC leadership visited CSM to learn about workforce development initiatives and provide feedback for new five-year strategic plan.
• Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian HeadcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCSM's first Endowed Faculty for Innovation collaborates with military partners at Naval Surface Warfare Center engaging students and businesses in regional entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Montgomery College: Maryland's largest community college, also a public two-year institution serving Montgomery County with associate degrees, transfer pathways, and workforce development — the most direct comparable peer in the same state system.
• Prince George's Community College: Public Maryland community college offering associate degrees, transfer pathways, and workforce training — operates under the same Maryland state funding structure with similar program mix and student demographics.
• Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC): Large multi-campus Maryland community college with associate degrees, transfer agreements, and continuing education — comparable scale and operating model within the same state system.
• Anne Arundel Community College: Maryland public community college serving Anne Arundel County with similar credit, transfer, and workforce programs; a direct comparable on size and student profile.
• Howard Community College: Maryland public community college offering associate degrees, transfer pathways, and workforce training; comparable scale and demographics in the same state system.
• Frederick Community College: Maryland public community college with similar credit programs, transfer agreements, and continuing education workforce offerings — direct regional peer within the same state system.
• Chesapeake College: Public two-year college serving Maryland's Eastern Shore with similar associate degree and workforce programs — close comparable on mission, scale, and Maryland public-community-college operating model.
• Wor-Wic Community College: Maryland public community college serving the Lower Eastern Shore with credit and workforce programs; comparable on size and rural/regional service model.

Broad incumbents

• Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA): Largest community college in Virginia and one of the largest in the U.S., operating across multiple campuses — comparable in mission and operating model and a relevant benchmark for multi-campus scale, even though it is in a neighboring state system.

Others

• University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC): Maryland's online-focused public four-year university and CSM's largest transfer partner; not a direct competitor for the associate-degree student but the primary continuation pathway for CSM transfer students, making it strategically adjacent.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/csmdarts
• YouTubeyoutube.com/csmdtube
• Facebookfacebook.com/33264645793
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/college-of-southern-maryland
• Instagraminstagram.com/collegeofsouthernmaryland

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about College of Southern Maryland, La Plata