Academic Programs & Learning
How does College of Southern Maryland in La Plata, MD support student success? Retention rates, FTE analysis, and more.
What About Academic Quality at College of Southern Maryland?
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
16:1
Average students per faculty member
Full-Time Retention
69%
Students continuing to second year
Part-Time Retention
39%
Part-time students continuing
How College of Southern Maryland Compares
College of Southern Maryland reports 69% retention — middle-of-the-pack for trade colleges. Combined with a 16:1 student-faculty ratio, and 39% part-time retention, the school sits at expected levels on academic-quality indicators.
Understanding Academic Quality Metrics
Student-Faculty Ratio: A ratio of 16:1 means there are approximately 16 students for every faculty member. This moderate ratio balances personalized attention with institutional capacity.
Retention Rates: These show the percentage of students who return for their second year. Higher retention rates typically indicate student satisfaction, academic support, and program quality.
Graduation Rate Survey Cohort: 43% of entering students are tracked for graduation outcomes.
Who Teaches at College of Southern Maryland?
Understanding Faculty Composition
College of Southern Maryland employs 118 instructional staff members. About 58% hold tenured positions, which is typical for community and technical colleges where faculty are often hired on annual or multi-year contracts.
Where Do Online Students at College of Southern Maryland Come From?
Geographic distribution of students enrolled exclusively in online courses (Fall 2024 census)
Where exclusively-online students are located
About this data: The geographic breakdown above uses IPEDS Fall Enrollment census data, which captures a single-day snapshot. The enrollment figures in the "How Do Students Learn?" section above use 12-month unduplicated headcount, which typically shows higher numbers as it covers the full academic year. Both are official IPEDS data — they measure different things.
99% of College of Southern Maryland's exclusively online students are located in MD. The school primarily serves local online learners.
What Is the Academic Load at College of Southern Maryland?
Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Analysis
FTE Analysis
Study Intensity:65.0% FTE ratio indicates many students attend part-time
Academic Load: FTE represents the equivalent of full-time students based on credit hours, helping compare institutional capacity regardless of part-time enrollment.
The FTE calculation at College of Southern Maryland provides a normalized enrollment figure — useful for understanding how many students are engaged on a full-time basis.
How Intensively Do Students Study at College of Southern Maryland?
Student Enrollment Intensity
The Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) ratio shows the average course load intensity. An FTE ratio of 1.0 means all students attend full-time, while lower values indicate more part-time enrollment.
A mix of full-time and part-time students, offering flexibility for those balancing work, family, and education.
FTE represents student enrollment adjusted for course load. Two half-time students equal 1 FTE.
FTE Ratio Scale
Enrollment intensity at College of Southern Maryland sits at 0.65 — a measure of how much of the student body is enrolled full-time versus part-time.
Academic Support & Resources
Academic Advising
Students have access to academic advisors who can help with course selection, degree planning, and career guidance. Contact the admissions office to learn about advising services.
Student Success Services
Many institutions offer tutoring, study groups, and academic success workshops. These resources help students develop study skills and overcome academic challenges.
For detailed information about academic support services, tutoring hours, and learning resources, contact College of Southern Maryland directly at 3019342251 or visit their website .
Key Academic Highlights
- Student-to-faculty ratio of 16:1 supports personalized learning
- 118 instructional staff with 58% holding tenured positions
- Flexible scheduling options accommodate working students and adult learners
- Online students primarily from MD (99% in-state)
Ready to Learn More About Academics at College of Southern Maryland?
Contact the admissions office to discuss academic programs, support services, and learning options.