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Cuesta College

San Luis Obispo, California — Highway 1, 93403-8106

Annual Tuition $1,340
Enrollment 6,879
Acceptance Rate N/A
Median Salary $46,047

Cuesta College is a leading Public institution located in San Luis Obispo, California. Established to provide high-quality education, Cuesta College offers a range of programs and is recognized for its commitment to student success and academic excellence in the United States region.

Cuesta College Quick Facts
Federal Aid Approval 6/24/1966
Location San Luis Obispo, California
Type Public
Total Enrollment 6,879 students
Median Salary $46,047

Cuesta College — Institution Overview

Institution Name Cuesta College
Location San Luis Obispo, California
Official Website https://www.cuesta.edu/
Address Highway 1
San Luis Obispo, CA 93403-8106
Institution Type Public
Total Students 6,879

Cuesta College Admissions Process

Acceptance Rate Not Reported
Avg. SAT Score N/A
ACT Midpoint N/A

Cuesta College Tuition Fees and Costs

In-State Tuition $1,340
Out-of-State Tuition $11,000
Pell Grant Rate 18.1%
Median Debt (Completers) $13,750

The Real Cost

Average net price after aid, grouped by household income.

Net price after aid

Cuesta College cost by family income

These are the average out-of-pocket costs after grants and scholarships, based on U.S. Department of Education reporting.

Family income $0 - $30,000 $11,156/yr
Family income $30,001 - $48,000 $12,451/yr
Family income $48,001 - $75,000 $14,399/yr
Family income $75,001 - $110,000 $17,301/yr

Low-income families under $30k pay an average of $11,156 per year. This band often benefits most from Pell Grants and institutional aid.

Calculate your personal aid

Opens the official Federal Student Aid Estimator.

Major Spotlight

Top programs by early-career earnings from this institution.

Top 3 by early salary

Based on median earnings two years after graduation from Cuesta College, using U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard data.

1

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. salary after Cuesta College

Associate's Degree
Strong earning
2yr salary $79,884 median/yr
Median debt $18,958 at graduation
Salary/debt 421% ROI ratio
1yr: $99,000 4yr: $91,653
2

Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. salary after Cuesta College

Associate's Degree
Strong earning
2yr salary $61,516 median/yr
Median debt Not published program debt data
Salary/debt Salary-led debt data unavailable
4yr: $60,419
3

Business Administration, Management and Operations. salary after Cuesta College

Associate's Degree
Steady earning
2yr salary $24,267 median/yr
Median debt Not published program debt data
Salary/debt Salary-led debt data unavailable
1yr: $29,983 4yr: $47,178

Salary data reflects U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard reporting.

Cuesta College Acceptance Rate and Enrollment Statistics

Acceptance rate data is not reported for Cuesta College in the current Department of Education dataset.

Total Students 6,879
Full-Time Students 40.9%

Courses and Academic Programs at Cuesta College

10 programs
Program Name
Degree
Graduates
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
Graduates 2,899
Business/Commerce, General.
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
Graduates 652
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.
Associate's
Graduates 649
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services.
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
Graduates 285
Education, General.
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
Graduates 284
Business Administration, Management and Operations.
Associate's
Graduates 275
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General.
Associate's
Graduates 220
Psychology, General.
Associate's
Graduates 183
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions.
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
Graduates 151
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
Graduates 149
Showing top 10 of 95 programs by graduates

Career Opportunities and Alumni Network at Cuesta College

Median Salary (10 yrs after entry) $46,047 U.S. Dept. of Education
Median (6 yrs) $38,541
Graduate Earnings Timeline — Cuesta College
Timeframe After Entry Median Earnings
6 Years After Entry $38,541
10 Years After Entry $46,047
Is Cuesta College Worth It? — ROI Analysis 2026
Average Net Price $12,898
Median Career Earnings (10 yrs) $46,047
3-Year Loan Repayment Rate 74700%

Campus Life and Student Facilities at Cuesta College

Total Students 6,879

Gender Breakdown

52.8%
47.2%
Women Men

Enrollment Type

Full-time 40.9%
Part-time
Full-time Part-time

Diversity & Ethnicity

White
49.6%
Hispanic
35.4%
Two or More Races
6.7%
Asian
3.1%
Black
2.4%
Unknown / Unreported
1.9%
American Indian / Alaska Native
0.5%
International
0.3%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
0.3%

Campus Demographics

🎂
Avg. Age at Entry 25
🎓
First-Generation 42.9%
💰
Receive Pell Grant 92.3%
🎖️
Veterans 1.2%
💍
Married Students 12.1%
📅
Students Age 25+ 22%

Student Economic Background

Median Household Income $60,497
Average Family Income $27,315
Median Family Income $19,228

Faculty Profile

Faculty Gender

52.2%
47.8%
Women Men
Student-Faculty Ratio 27:1 students per faculty member

Scholarships and Grants at Cuesta College

Cuesta College participates in federal financial aid programs. The data below is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education and reflects the most recently available award year. Students should contact the financial aid office directly for current scholarship opportunities, institutional grants, and merit-based awards.

Pell Grant Rate 18.1% of students
Federal Loan Rate 2.1% of students
Avg Net Price $12,898 after aid
Median Debt $13,750 completers

Average Net Price by Family Income

Income Bracket Net Price / Year

Student Debt Overview

Median Debt — Completers $13,750
Cumulative Debt — 25th Percentile $3,500
Cumulative Debt — 75th Percentile $11,250

Financial aid availability, grant amounts, and scholarship criteria change each award year. Contact Cuesta College's financial aid office or visit the official website for current deadlines and eligibility requirements.

Cuesta College Rankings and Accreditation

Institution Type Public
Geographic Region United States
Title IV Federal Aid Approval 6/24/1966
Median Graduate Salary $46,047
Data Source U.S. Department of Education — College Scorecard & IPEDS (2026)

Institutional accreditation status is maintained by regional and national accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Federal Title IV approval (above) confirms Cuesta College meets eligibility requirements for federal student aid programs including Pell Grants, Direct Loans, and work-study.

Housing and Campus Location for Cuesta College

Frequently Asked Questions about Cuesta College

What is the acceptance rate at Cuesta College?

Acceptance rate data for Cuesta College is not reported in the 2026 U.S. Department of Education dataset.

How much is tuition at Cuesta College?

Tuition at Cuesta College is $1,340 per year. Net price and financial aid options may reduce this cost significantly depending on individual circumstances.

What is the average salary for graduates of Cuesta College?

Graduates of Cuesta College earn a median salary of $46,047 per year, based on 2026 U.S. Department of Education earnings data.

Where is Cuesta College located?

Cuesta College is located at Highway 1, San Luis Obispo, California 93403-8106. The campus is situated in the United States region of the United States.