Bakersfield College vs. Cuesta College

Comparable Facts

Compare Bakersfield College in Bakersfield, CA with Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bakersfield College is larger than Cuesta College based on total student enrollment (30,746 students vs. 11,283 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bakersfield College is located in Bakersfield, CA (Large City setting); Cuesta College is in San Luis Obispo, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Bakersfield College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Cuesta College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bakersfield College 31:1; Cuesta College 27:1.

Bakersfield College vs. Cuesta College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bakersfield College or Cuesta College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Cuesta College than Bakersfield College ($16,541 vs. $16,637).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cuesta College are 8.7% lower than at Bakersfield College ($22,086 vs. $24,192).
• Bakersfield College is 5.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cuesta College (about $80 more per year; $1,430.00 vs. $1,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.6% higher at Bakersfield College than at Cuesta College (about $290 more per year; $11,300.00 vs. $11,010.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bakersfield College than at Cuesta College (85% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bakersfield College students is 43.4% larger than aid received by Cuesta College students ($5,940 vs. $4,143).

Bakersfield College vs. Cuesta College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bakersfield College or Cuesta College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Cuesta College and Bakersfield College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bakersfield College - Open admission; Cuesta College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cuesta College Aug 13, 2027.

Bakersfield College vs. Cuesta College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bakersfield College and Cuesta College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Cuesta College earn a median of about $5,900 more per year than Bakersfield College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,800 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bakersfield College graduates have a $2,295 lower median loan debt than Cuesta College graduates ($8,955 vs. $11,250).
• Among borrowers, Bakersfield College graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cuesta College graduates ($92 vs. $116).
• More Cuesta College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bakersfield College students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 26%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.