College of Alameda vs. Cuesta College

Comparable Facts

Compare College of Alameda in Alameda, 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 College of Alameda based on total student enrollment (11,283 students vs. 6,141 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of Alameda is located in Alameda, CA (Large Suburban setting); Cuesta College is in San Luis Obispo, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• College of Alameda is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Cuesta College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Alameda 38:1; Cuesta College 27:1.

College of Alameda vs. Cuesta College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, College of Alameda 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 College of Alameda than Cuesta College ($12,506 vs. $16,541).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cuesta College are 3.2% lower than at College of Alameda ($22,086 vs. $22,820).
• Cuesta College is 7.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than College of Alameda (about $92 more per year; $1,350.00 vs. $1,258.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.2% higher at Cuesta College than at College of Alameda (about $1,112 more per year; $11,010.00 vs. $9,898.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Alameda than at Cuesta College (86% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of Alameda students is 30% larger than aid received by Cuesta College students ($5,385 vs. $4,143).

College of Alameda vs. Cuesta College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, College of Alameda 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 College of Alameda.

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

College of Alameda vs. Cuesta College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for College of Alameda 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 $4,100 more per year than College of Alameda graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,800 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More Cuesta College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former College of Alameda students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 30%)

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.