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San Luis Obispo , CA
Cuesta College is a community college located in San Luis Obispo County, California. It was founded in 1963 and has since become one of the top-ranking community colleges in the state. The college offers a wide range of programs and courses, including associate degrees, transfer programs, and vocational training. With a student population of over 10,000, Cuesta College provides a diverse and inclusive learning environment for students of all backgrounds.
Cuesta College has two main campuses, located in San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles. The San Luis Obispo campus is the larger of the two and offers a wide range of academic programs, including liberal arts, sciences, and health sciences. The Paso Robles campus primarily focuses on vocational and technical programs, providing students with practical skills and training needed for the workforce. In addition, Cuesta College also offers online courses, allowing students to access education remotely.
One of Cuesta College's main priorities is to provide affordable education to its students. The college offers various financial aid options, including grants, scholarships, and work-study programs, ensuring that students have the resources they need to pursue their educational goals. Moreover, Cuesta College has established transfer agreements with several universities, allowing students to seamlessly transfer their credits and continue their education after completing their associate degrees. With its commitment to student success and accessible education, Cuesta College serves as a valuable institution for students seeking to further their education and career prospects.
Located in San Luis Obispo, CA and set in a rural environment, Cuesta College is a public two-year college with graduate programs. This school uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 100%. The freshman retention rate at Cuesta College is 73%.
Here are some recent data on important things to consider about Cuesta College.
Quick Facts
11,283
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
27:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Admissions
If you know as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission, you can make a better judgment about your eligibility and boost your chances of getting accepted. Check out some important data about admission at Cuesta College.
In 2023, the school accepted 157 new students. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is relatively noncompetitive.
Retention Rate
The student retention rate is the percentage of students who re-enroll from one year to the next. Why is that metric important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
The freshman retention rate for Cuesta College was 73% in 2023, a testament to the outstanding educational experience provided by this institution.
Student Body
It is always challenging to figure out which school is best for you. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by finding out more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at Cuesta College in 2023 was 11,283.
There was a total of 11,283 undergrad students, including 18 international students. 1,088 students enrolled as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 1,407 male and 1,483 female full-time students in 2023, which is indicative of the importance this institution places on gender equality.
Student Population Diversity
Higer Education is committed to expanding the diversity of its student population and improving students' sense of inclusion and belonging. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at Cuesta College.
This school had 215 Asian students and 163 Afro-American students in 2023. 2,432 undergraduates at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 460 identified with more than one race. The school also had 17 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 32 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 129 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before submitting an application to any college or university, the financial component should be taken into account. Here are some details you should know about the cost of attendance for Cuesta College.
Tuition and Fees
If you were wondering how much the tuition cost for Cuesta College is, here are some recent data that will come in handy.
For the students who live in the area, the tuition cost was $1,288, as reported by public county or municipal institutions. For students who don't live in the state in which the university is located, the tuition was $12,236 in 2023. For international students, tuition fees at this school totaled $12,236, as well. Fees per academic year required of full-time students reached $62 in 2023.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $12,236 | $62 | $12,298 |
| In-State | $1,288 | $62 | $1,350 |
Books and Supplies
Another important financial factor to take into consideration is the approximate cost of books and supplies for a college or university. Most students have to pay about $1,089 for books and supplies during their time at Cuesta College.
Boarding
Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for lodging and meals?
At Cuesta College, the 2023 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $22,752.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 1,288 |
| Room and Board | $ 22,752 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,089 |
| Total Expense | $ 25,129 |
Financial Aid
Obtaining some financial help in forms of grants, loans, scholarships or work-study programs can be vital for completing your studies. Check out some recent data to get informed about need-based and non-need-based aid at Cuesta College.
Need-based
Need-based aid is financial aid that a student can receive if they are determened to have financial need and meet other eligibility criteria.
Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Cuesta College is available to international students.
Majors
Faculty
27:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Cuesta College was 27:1: that means 27 students per one teacher. The faculty of this school consists of 441 members, according to the most recent data reported. Out of that number, there were 190 male and 251 female faculty members. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has at Cuesta College.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Find out some details about campus life at Cuesta College.
Its campus is 129 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Engaging with a variety of student organizations can enrich your educational experience and make it more rewarding.
There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. For individuals with an interest in media and communication, Cuesta College publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At Cuesta College, there are many amenities required for a comfortable and safe life on campus.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. There is a 24-hour security patrol. The after-hours transportation/escort service is available.
There is a medical clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Legal Services are available to the students of Cuesta College.
All in all, campus life at Cuesta College is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Cuesta College.
Career Counselling
At Cuesta College, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library and job fairs. The school has campus employer recruitment for full-time students only. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
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Cuesta College is located in San Luis Obispo, CA.
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Cuesta College offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Cuesta College is 100%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for Cuesta College is 73%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2025 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2025 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
