Cuesta College vs. Cypress College

Comparable Facts

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

Cypress College is larger than Cuesta College based on total student enrollment (15,924 students vs. 11,283 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cuesta College is located in San Luis Obispo, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Cypress College is in Cypress, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Cuesta College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Cypress College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cuesta College 27:1; Cypress College 25:1.

Cuesta College vs. Cypress College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cuesta College or Cypress 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 Cypress College than Cuesta College ($7,253 vs. $16,541).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) are the same at Cuesta College and Cypress College ($22,086).
• Cuesta College is 17.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cypress College (about $200 more per year; $1,350.00 vs. $1,150.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.4% higher at Cypress College than at Cuesta College (about $1,369 more per year; $12,379.00 vs. $11,010.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cypress College than at Cuesta College (89% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cypress College students is 53.1% larger than aid received by Cuesta College students ($6,345 vs. $4,143).

Cuesta College vs. Cypress College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cuesta College or Cypress 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 Cypress College and Cuesta College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cuesta College - Open admission; Cypress College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cuesta College Aug 13, 2027; Cypress College Aug 25, 2027.

Cuesta College vs. Cypress College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cuesta College and Cypress 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 $1,500 more per year than Cypress College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,800 vs. $39,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cypress College graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than Cuesta College graduates ($9,500 vs. $11,250).
• Among borrowers, Cypress College graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cuesta College graduates ($98 vs. $116).
• More Cuesta College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cypress College students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 38%)

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.