Cuesta College vs. Fullerton College

Comparable Facts

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

Fullerton College is larger than Cuesta College based on total student enrollment (19,521 students vs. 11,283 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cuesta College vs. Fullerton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cuesta College or Fullerton 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 Fullerton College than Cuesta College ($8,306 vs. $16,541).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) are the same at Cuesta College and Fullerton College ($22,086).
• Cuesta College is 17.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fullerton College (about $200 more per year; $1,350.00 vs. $1,150.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.4% higher at Fullerton 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 Fullerton College than at Cuesta College (87% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fullerton College students is 28% larger than aid received by Cuesta College students ($5,301 vs. $4,143).

Cuesta College vs. Fullerton College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cuesta College or Fullerton 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 Fullerton 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; Fullerton College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cuesta College Aug 13, 2027.

Cuesta College vs. Fullerton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cuesta College and Fullerton 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 $3,500 more per year than Fullerton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,800 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More Cuesta College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fullerton College students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 39%)

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.