Cabrillo College vs. Cuesta College

Comparable Facts

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

Cuesta College is larger than Cabrillo College based on total student enrollment (11,283 students vs. 9,457 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cabrillo College is located in Aptos, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Cuesta College is in San Luis Obispo, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Cabrillo College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Cuesta College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cabrillo College 20:1; Cuesta College 27:1.

Cabrillo College vs. Cuesta College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cabrillo 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 Cabrillo College ($16,541 vs. $20,716).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cuesta College are 12.6% lower than at Cabrillo College ($22,086 vs. $25,281).
• Cuesta College is 6.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cabrillo College (about $80 more per year; $1,350.00 vs. $1,270.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.6% higher at Cuesta College than at Cabrillo College (about $1,148 more per year; $11,010.00 vs. $9,862.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cabrillo College than at Cuesta College (85% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cabrillo College students is 35.2% larger than aid received by Cuesta College students ($5,600 vs. $4,143).

Cabrillo College vs. Cuesta College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cabrillo 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 Cabrillo College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cabrillo College - Open admission; Cuesta College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cabrillo College Apr 9, 2027; Cuesta College Aug 13, 2027.

Cabrillo College vs. Cuesta College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cabrillo 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 $600 more per year than Cabrillo College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,800 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cabrillo College graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than Cuesta College graduates ($10,500 vs. $11,250).
• Among borrowers, Cabrillo College graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cuesta College graduates ($108 vs. $116).
• More Cuesta College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cabrillo College students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 40%)

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.