Cuesta College vs. Orange Coast College

Comparable Facts

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

Orange Coast College is larger than Cuesta College based on total student enrollment (17,096 students vs. 11,283 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cuesta College vs. Orange Coast College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cuesta College or Orange Coast 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 Orange Coast College than Cuesta College ($9,116 vs. $16,541).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Orange Coast College are 13.3% lower than at Cuesta College ($19,159 vs. $22,086).
• Orange Coast College is 3.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cuesta College (about $42 more per year; $1,392.00 vs. $1,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.7% higher at Orange Coast College than at Cuesta College (about $630 more per year; $11,640.00 vs. $11,010.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cuesta College than at Orange Coast College (75% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Orange Coast College students is 32.6% larger than aid received by Cuesta College students ($5,493 vs. $4,143).

Cuesta College vs. Orange Coast College Admissions comparison

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

Cuesta College vs. Orange Coast College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cuesta College and Orange Coast 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 Orange Coast College earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than Cuesta College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,200 vs. $40,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Orange Coast College graduates have a $4,750 lower median loan debt than Cuesta College graduates ($6,500 vs. $11,250).
• Among borrowers, Orange Coast College graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cuesta College graduates ($67 vs. $116).
• More Cuesta College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Orange Coast College students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 51%)

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.