Cuesta College

  • Cuesta College is a premier community college providing accessible, high quality education that focuses on student success, lifelong learning, and community vitality.

School Highlights

Cuesta College serves 10,093 students (30% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 20:1 is lower than the state community college average of 21:1.
Minority enrollment is 45% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 74%.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Enrollment: 10,093 students
  • In-state tuition: $1,234
  • Out-state tuition: $6,408
  • Student:teacher ratio: 20:1
  • Minority enrollment: 45%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

School Overview

The teacher population of 515 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Cuesta College
(CA) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associates Colleges
Associates Colleges
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Total Faculty
515 staff
312 staff
This chart display total faculty of Cuesta College and community college average number of faculty in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Student Body

The student population of Cuesta College has declined by 10% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 20:1 has decreased from 22:1 over five years.
The Cuesta College diversity score of 0.60 is less than the state average of 0.71. The school's diversity has declined by 6% over five years.
Total Enrollment
10,093 students
7,900 students
This chart display the total enrollment of Cuesta College and community college average number of enrollment of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
20:1
21:1
This chart display the student staff ratio of Cuesta College and community college average student staff ratio of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Full-Time Students
2,987 students
1,661 students
This chart display the total number of Full-time students enrollment of Cuesta College and average number of community college Full-time students enrollment of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Part-Time Students
7,106 students
6,239 students
This chart display the total number of Part-time students enrollment of Cuesta College and average number of community college Part-time students enrollment of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
This chart display the Full-time students and Part-time students enrollment breakdown of Cuesta College.
This chart display community college average Full-Time students and Part-Time students enrollment breakdown of CA.
# Enrollment Undergraduate
621 students
302 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
2,987 students
1,646 students
This chart display the total number of Full-time undergraduate students enrollment of Cuesta College and average number of community college Full-time undergraduate  students enrollment of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
54 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
7,106 students
6,288 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
10 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
140 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
1%
n/a
This chart display the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan students in Cuesta College and the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2017-18 school year data.
% Asian
4%
13%
This chart display the percentage of Asian students in Cuesta College and the percentage of Asian community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Hispanic
31%
45%
This chart display the percentage of Hispanic students in Cuesta College and the percentage of Hispanic community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Black
3%
5%
This chart display the percentage of Black students in Cuesta College and the percentage of Black community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% White
55%
26%
This chart display the percentage of White students in Cuesta College and the percentage of White community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Two or more races
4%
4%
This chart display the percentage of Two or more races students in Cuesta College and the percentage of Two or more races community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Non Resident races
n/a
3%
This chart display the percentage of Non Resident students in Cuesta College and the percentage of Non Resident community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2015-16 school year data.
% Unknown races
1%
4%
This chart display the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Cuesta College.
This chart display the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in CA.
Diversity Score
0.60
0.71
This chart display the diversity score of Cuesta College and the community college average diversity score of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
38%
35%
This chart display completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of Cuesta College and community college average completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
1.92%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$38,700
$34,700
This chart display average graduate earnings (10 Years) of Cuesta College and community college average graduate earnings (10 Years) of CA by year, disaggregated by student subgroups with the latest 2012-13 school year data.

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

The public in-state tuition of $1,234 is less than the state average of $1,993. The in-state tuition has declined by 7% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $6,408 is less than the state average of $7,120. The out-state tuition has declined by 6% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$1,234
$1,993
This chart display tuition fees for an in-state student of Cuesta College and the public community college average tuition fees for an in-state student of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Out-State Tuition Fees
$6,408
$7,120
This chart display tuition fees for an out-of-state student of Cuesta College and the public community college average tuition fees for an out-of-state student of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
81%
86%
This chart display the percent of students who is receiving some financial aid in Cuesta College and the percent of community college students who is receiving some financial aid in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Median Debt for Graduates
$14,000
$10,500
This chart display median debt for students who have completed a certificate or degree in Cuesta College and average median debt for community college students who have completed a certificate or degree in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Median Debt for Dropouts
$9,000
$6,239
This chart display median debt for students who have not completed a certificate or degree in Cuesta College and average median debt for community college students who have not completed a certificate or degree in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Acceptance Rate
n/a
89%
Source: 2021 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

School Notes

  • Cuesta College makes lifelong learning happen. We enable students to achieve their academic, transfer, workforce preparation, career advancement, and personal goals. Building on our tradition of excellence, we serve our community by providing programs and services that produce students who can succeed in a diverse and rapidly changing society, participate effectively in their local communities, and live responsible and rewarding lives. As a learning college, we provide a supportive environment for students and employees, assess student and institutional outcomes, improve performance, forge strategic partnerships, and maximize opportunities for learning. Cuesta College is located at the heart of scenic San Luis Obispo County, and is highly regarded throughout the state for its excellent educational programs, responsive student services and exceptional faculty and staff. In 1996 the college received a Silver Medal Eureka Award for Quality and Service Excellence. Most courses offered through Cuesta College's Distance Education program are fully accredited and transfer to other four year institutions. All courses are equivalent to the classroom-based version in course content, textbooks, required assignments and study time. The only difference is that the delivery method in a distance education course is different. The Cuesta College Foundation was incorporated in 1973 for the purpose of providing essential financial support for Cuesta College programs, services, scholarships, and capital needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Cuesta College cost?
Cuesta College's tuition is approximately $1,234 for In-State students and $6,408 for Out-State students.

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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Enrollment: 10,093 students
  • In-state tuition: $1,234
  • Out-state tuition: $6,408
  • Student:teacher ratio: 20:1
  • Minority enrollment: 45%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Related School Videos

Did You Know?

For California public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $1,993 per year for in-state students and $7,120 for out-of-state students. For private community colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $21,083 per year. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.

The average community college acceptance rate in California is 81%. Read more about national community college acceptance rates.

California community colleges have a diversity score of 0.71, which is higher than the national average of 0.70. The most diverse community college in California is Berkeley City College. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.

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