Cuesta College vs. MiraCosta College

Comparable Facts

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

MiraCosta College is larger than Cuesta College based on total student enrollment (11,478 students vs. 11,283 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cuesta College is located in San Luis Obispo, CA (Rural Fringe setting); MiraCosta College is in Oceanside, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Cuesta College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. MiraCosta College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cuesta College 27:1; MiraCosta College 18:1.

Cuesta College vs. MiraCosta College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cuesta College or MiraCosta 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 MiraCosta College than Cuesta College ($9,044 vs. $16,541).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cuesta College are 35.7% lower than at MiraCosta College ($22,086 vs. $34,328).
• Cuesta College is 16.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than MiraCosta College (about $192 more per year; $1,350.00 vs. $1,158.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.9% higher at Cuesta College than at MiraCosta College (about $1,260 more per year; $11,010.00 vs. $9,750.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at MiraCosta College than at Cuesta College (81% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by MiraCosta College students is 21% larger than aid received by Cuesta College students ($5,013 vs. $4,143).

Cuesta College vs. MiraCosta College Admissions comparison

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

Cuesta College vs. MiraCosta College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cuesta College and MiraCosta 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 $7,800 more per year than MiraCosta College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,800 vs. $33,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, MiraCosta College graduates have a $6,750 lower median loan debt than Cuesta College graduates ($4,500 vs. $11,250).
• Among borrowers, MiraCosta College graduates have an estimated $70 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cuesta College graduates ($46 vs. $116).
• More Cuesta College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MiraCosta College students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 46%)

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.