Cuesta College vs. Pasadena City College

Comparable Facts

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

Pasadena City College is larger than Cuesta College based on total student enrollment (24,597 students vs. 11,283 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cuesta College is located in San Luis Obispo, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Pasadena City College is in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting).
• Cuesta College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Pasadena City College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cuesta College 27:1; Pasadena City College 23:1.

Cuesta College vs. Pasadena City College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cuesta College or Pasadena City 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 Pasadena City College than Cuesta College ($6,888 vs. $16,541).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pasadena City College are 12% lower than at Cuesta College ($19,431 vs. $22,086).
• Cuesta College is 14.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pasadena City College (about $170 more per year; $1,350.00 vs. $1,180.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.1% higher at Cuesta College than at Pasadena City College (about $1,190 more per year; $11,010.00 vs. $9,820.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pasadena City College than at Cuesta College (78% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pasadena City College students is 63.1% larger than aid received by Cuesta College students ($6,759 vs. $4,143).

Cuesta College vs. Pasadena City College Admissions comparison

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

Cuesta College vs. Pasadena City College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cuesta College and Pasadena City 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 $2,900 more per year than Pasadena City College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,800 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pasadena City College graduates have a $5,750 lower median loan debt than Cuesta College graduates ($5,500 vs. $11,250).
• Among borrowers, Pasadena City College graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cuesta College graduates ($56 vs. $116).
• More Cuesta College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pasadena City College students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 36%)

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.