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Cuesta College
Explore one of the most distinguished institutions in CA. Your pathway to a brighter future begins here.
Annual Tuition
$1,340
Average Sticker Price
Admission Rate
Open
Open Admission
Graduation Rate
44.0%
Completion Success
Median Earnings
$46,047
10y Career Outlook
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About Institution
Cuesta College is a distinguished Public, 2-Year institution located in San Luis Obispo, CA. With a competitive tuition profile of $1,340, it remains an attractive choice for ambitious students. A strong graduation rate of 44.0% underscores its academic rigor and effective student support systems.
Investment Return
Estimated College ROI Analysis
Total 2-Year Cost
$2,680
Based on sticker tuition
Estimated Payback
0.2 yrs
Time to recoup investment
Annual Earnings Boost
+$16,047
vs. $30k HS diploma baseline
10-Year Net Gain
+$157,790
Cumulative earnings advantage minus total college cost
20-Year Net Gain
+$318,260
Long-term projected return on your education investment
Graduation Rate: 44%
Students who don't graduate may still carry debt without the full earnings benefit. Consider program-specific outcomes in the Career Paths section below.
ROI estimates use the BLS national median of $30,000/yr for high school diploma holders as a baseline. Actual results vary based on major, career path, location, and individual circumstances. Median graduate debt at Cuesta College is $13,750.
Student Community
Gender Balance
Ethnic Diversity
Security Audit
Incidents
1
Burglary
0
Theft
1
Assault
0
Robbery
0
Rape
0
Arson
0
Murder
0
Financial Outlook
Total Sticker Price
$1,340
Estimated cost before aid.
Net Price By Income
Debt & Financial Aid
Repayment measured in 2016–17; this federal measure was discontinued.
Grant Aid (IPEDS 2021)
* Most students receive significant grants and scholarships, reducing the actual cost. Grant data from IPEDS Student Financial Aid survey.
Quick Overview
Faculty Ratio
N/A
Retention
69.2%
Success
44.0%
In-State Cost
$1,340
Age 25+ Students
22.0%
Carnegie Class
Carnegie 2
Working at 6yr
1,400 students
Security Benchmark
Campus vs. City Comparison (Per 100k)
Violent Offenses
PER 100KProperty Crimes
PER 100KStats sourced from institutional reports and municipal data. These rates provide a standardized baseline for comparing safety across different environments.
Living In San Luis Obispo
Off-Campus Market Estimator
Studio
$1,541
Monthly Average
1 Bedroom
$1,731
Monthly Average
2 Bedrooms
$2,274
Monthly Average
3 Bedrooms
$
Monthly Average
Data provided by HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR). These estimates assist with financial planning for off-campus housing in the San Luis Obispo metropolitan area.