Community college · International student guide
College of San Mateo
San Mateo, CA
College of San Mateo is a public community college in San Mateo, California, offering international students an Associate Degree and/or University Transfer Program on the way to a four-year university. International tuition and fees run $441 per unit ($10,584 per year for 12 units/semester), and the Spring 2027 deadline for new F-1 applicants from outside the US is November 15, 2026.
Photos: “CSM Entrance” by Csmwebmaster, CC BY 3.0; “College of San Mateo” by Dawn Endico, CC BY-SA 2.0. Via Wikimedia Commons, resized.
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This guide puts first what matters when you apply from outside the United States: costs, English requirements, dates and documents. Every figure links to the college's own page.
Your yearly costs
2026–27 estimates. The source’s main total is $32,500; its separate line-item “other expenses” subtotal differs, so we retain the published main-table budget.
$10,584USD · per academic year (10 months)
Tuition & fees
12 units per semester × 2 semesters × $441. Published costs: 2026–27.
$13,750USD · per academic year (10 months)
Housing & meals estimate
Shared-room homestay with meals.
$2,340USD · per academic year (10 months)
Health insurance
Cost year: 2026–27.
$32,500USD · per academic year (10 months)
Estimated total budget
Includes $5,826 in other expenses in the main cost table.
These are school or college costs, not our advisory fees. A budget estimate is not an all-inclusive invoice. Confirm your course load, housing, insurance and required extras before paying.
Dates and deadlines
Application deadline for new F-1 students (Spring 2027)
15 Nov 2026 — New F-1 (Applying from outside the US) - November 15, 2026
Source · checked 3 Oct 2026English, documents and requirements
Requirement: English test (TOEFL)
No test score is required to apply; students at High Intermediate level or below (iBT under 67, IELTS under 6.4, Duolingo under 89) receive an I-20 for the ESOL program first
Source · checked 3 Oct 2026Programmes and transfer
Degree pathways for international students
Associate Degree and/or University Transfer Program, transferring to a four-year university
Source · checked 3 Oct 2026We are not an official representative of these institutions, and listing one is not a claim of partnership. Admission decisions are made only by each institution.
When a student we advise enrols, we may receive a commission from the institution, paid through our placement partners. This does not change what you pay us.
US Admissions is operated by Blackstone School System, LLC. It is a private admissions consultancy, not a government agency, and is not affiliated with the U.S. government or any embassy or consulate. We do not provide legal or immigration advice; any visa assistance is administrative only. Visa decisions rest solely with U.S. consular officers.