
Kentfield, CApublicwww.marin.edu/
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
College of Marin, a public community college in Kentfield, California, serves as a vital educational hub for Marin County with an open admissions policy and a focus on transfer pathways and career training. Known for its scenic campus and diverse student body, it offers over 60 academic programs with particular strengths in liberal arts, business, and STEM fields, though its graduation rates lag behind national averages.
More details
Outcomes & value
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Campus & location
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
College of Marin operates on an open admissions policy, accepting all applicants with a high school diploma or equivalent—reflecting its mission as a community college. Sources conflict on the exact Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. (Niche reports 100%, while College Board states data is unavailable), but the absence of selective admissions criteria aligns with California community college norms. The student body is notably diverse: 44.3% White, 36.2% Hispanic/Latino, 6.88% multiracial, 6.24% Asian, and 3.14% Black. No early decision or demonstrated interest policies apply, as is typical for open-access institutions.
With over 60 programs, College of Marin emphasizes practical and transfer-oriented education. Popular majors include Liberal Arts and Humanities (the most enrolled program), Business, and Natural Sciences. The Business program touts leadership and marketing training, while Communication degrees prepare students for media and corporate roles. Programs are organized into interest clusters like 'STEM,' 'Earth and Environment,' and 'People, Culture, and Society.' A 16:1 student-faculty ratio suggests moderate class sizes, though the college lacks data on professor accessibility or undergraduate research opportunities.
Life at COM blends academics with community engagement. The Kentfield campus features a cafeteria, fitness center, and health services. Student clubs—like a game design group focused on 'playable experiences'—cater to niche interests, while 'COMmunity Hour' events foster connection. Instagram posts highlight Black History Month programming and graduation ceremonies (the college recently celebrated its 99th graduating class). However, the absence of dormitories or Greek life underscores its commuter-school vibe.
Outcomes data reveals challenges: a 19% graduation rate (per College Scorecard, below the 35% national midpoint for two-year colleges) and 39% six-year completion rate (Clema.ai). However, alumni see tangible benefits—graduates in California earn $76M more collectively annually than peers without degrees, with median earnings of $49,096 one year post-graduation (Niche). Transfer pathways to four-year universities, a key mission of California community colleges, aren’t quantified in available sources.
Tuition is $1,288/year for in-district students (BigFuture), but the Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost.—$14,662 after aid (Niche)—reflects California’s high cost of living. The average aid package is $4,400, though the college doesn’t claim to meet full financial need or offer no-loan policies. A net price calculator helps estimate costs, and financial wellness resources include loan forgiveness guidance. Notably, College Factual reports a stark disparity in net price by income: $13,784 for families earning under $30K vs. $28,878 for those earning $48K–$75K.
College of Marin’s value lies in its accessibility and local impact. With no admissions barriers, it serves as an entry point for First-generation (first-gen)A student who would be the first in their immediate family to earn a four-year college degree. Many colleges consider this in context., low-income, and non-traditional students in Marin County. Its $210M annual economic contribution (via alumni wages and operations) underscores its community role. While low graduation rates are a concern, programs like Learning Communities and career-focused CTE tracks aim to bolster success. For Bay Area residents seeking affordable transfer credits or vocational training—amid redwood-dotted hills—COM is a pragmatic choice.