Cuesta College
Comprehensive information about programs, admissions, costs, and enrollment
What Are the Key Stats for Cuesta College?
Annual Tuition & Fees (In-State)
$1,350
Total Enrollment
11,283
Graduation Rate
48.3%
6-year graduation rate
Program Completions
3,713
Last reported year
How Cuesta College Compares
Cuesta College enrolls 11,283 — well above the typical trade-college range of a few hundred to a couple thousand. Tuition: $1,350. Net price after aid: $16,541. Retention: 73%. These headline numbers position the school as a regional anchor — stronger than smaller competitors on breadth, and worth comparing closely against peers of similar scale.
Where is Cuesta College?
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Virtual Campus Tour of Cuesta College
Walk up to the campus in Google Street View — look around, move along the street.
Street-level imagery © Google. Views show the public street nearest the campus address.
What are the Most Popular Programs at Cuesta College
Verified Program Outcomes
Completion and employment results reported to the U.S. Department of Labor for Cuesta College programs on the state Eligible Training Provider List. Missing values ("—") mean the state suppressed or did not report that metric — they never mean zero.
In the Medical Assisting A.S. program at Cuesta College, 32% completed the program (U.S. Department of Labor, PY 2023).
| Program | Completion rate | Employed 6 mo after exit | Employed 1 yr after exit | Median quarterly earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Assisting A.S. | 32% | — | — | — |
| Accounting Clerk C.A. | 26% | — | — | — |
| NURSING ASSISTANT, CERTIFICATE OF SPECIALIZATION | 63% | — | — | — |
| Registered Nursing A.S. | 79% | — | — | — |
| Child Development Teacher. C.A. | 52% | — | — | — |
All 11 verified program outcomes for Cuesta College →
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, WIOA participant outcomes (trainingproviderresults.gov), PY 2023.
Explore Cuesta College
Enrollment
Cuesta College enrolls 11,283 students. The student body is 51.3% women, with diverse representation across programs. The college maintains a 73% retention rate, reflecting student satisfaction and academic support.
View Full DetailsAcademics
Cuesta College maintains a 27:1 student-to-faculty ratio, providing favorable opportunities for personalized instruction and academic support. The college maintains a strong 73% retention rate for full-time students, reflecting student satisfaction and effective academic programs. The college accommodates diverse student needs with flexible enrollment options for part-time and working students.
View Full DetailsFaculty & Staff
Cuesta College employs 139 instructional staff members dedicated to student success. The 27:1 student-to-faculty ratio provides good opportunities for personalized attention and mentoring. With 0.7% of faculty holding tenure, students benefit from experienced educators committed to teaching excellence.
View Full DetailsPrograms
Cuesta College offers programs in 31 different fields of study. The most popular programs include Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies, Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies, and Humanities/Humanistic Studies. In 2025, the college awarded 3,713 degrees and certificates across all programs.
View Full DetailsFinancial Aid
Annual tuition and fees at Cuesta College is $1,350 for in-state students and $11,010 for out-of-state students. After financial aid, the average net price is $16,541. Students can use the net price calculator to estimate their individual costs and potential aid.
View Full DetailsStudent Outcomes
Cuesta College achieves a 34.9% overall completion rate for students who complete their programs. Students typically complete their programs in 5 years, balancing academic rigor with timely graduation. The college supports working students with a 32.2% success rate for this population.
View Full DetailsInstitution Details
Contact Information
San Luis Obispo, CA, 93403-8106
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Cost Information
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