Cuesta College vs. Pierce College

Comparable Facts

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

Los Angeles Pierce College is larger than Cuesta College based on total student enrollment (16,906 students vs. 11,283 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cuesta College is located in San Luis Obispo, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Los Angeles Pierce College is in Woodland Hills, CA (Large City setting).
• Cuesta College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Los Angeles Pierce College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cuesta College 27:1; Los Angeles Pierce College 30:1.

Cuesta College vs. Pierce College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cuesta College or Pierce 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 Los Angeles Pierce College than Cuesta College ($14,469 vs. $16,541).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cuesta College are 13.1% lower than at Los Angeles Pierce College ($22,086 vs. $25,407).
• Cuesta College is 9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pierce College (about $112 more per year; $1,350.00 vs. $1,238.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.1% higher at Cuesta College than at Los Angeles Pierce College (about $438 more per year; $11,010.00 vs. $10,572.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cuesta College than at Los Angeles Pierce College (75% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Los Angeles Pierce College students is 54.4% larger than aid received by Cuesta College students ($6,398 vs. $4,143).

Cuesta College vs. Pierce College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cuesta College or Pierce 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 Pierce 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; Pierce College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cuesta College Aug 13, 2027; Pierce College Aug 20, 2027.

Cuesta College vs. Pierce College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cuesta College and Pierce 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 $1,000 more per year than Pierce College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,800 vs. $39,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Los Angeles Pierce College graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than Cuesta College graduates ($10,500 vs. $11,250).
• Among borrowers, Pierce 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 Pierce College students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 33%)

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.