Cuesta College vs. Palomar College

Comparable Facts

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

Palomar College is larger than Cuesta College based on total student enrollment (19,550 students vs. 11,283 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cuesta College vs. Palomar College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cuesta College or Palomar 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 Palomar College than Cuesta College ($8,372 vs. $16,541).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cuesta College are 14.4% lower than at Palomar College ($22,086 vs. $25,804).
• Palomar College is 0.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cuesta College (about $4 more per year; $1,354.00 vs. $1,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.4% higher at Cuesta College than at Palomar College (about $360 more per year; $11,010.00 vs. $10,650.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Palomar College than at Cuesta College (81% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Palomar College students is 20% larger than aid received by Cuesta College students ($4,972 vs. $4,143).

Cuesta College vs. Palomar College Admissions comparison

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

Cuesta College vs. Palomar College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cuesta College and Palomar 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 $1,100 more per year than Palomar College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,800 vs. $39,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Palomar College graduates have a $4,250 lower median loan debt than Cuesta College graduates ($7,000 vs. $11,250).
• Among borrowers, Palomar College graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cuesta College graduates ($72 vs. $116).
• More Cuesta College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Palomar College students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 30%)

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.