Cuesta College vs. Saddleback College

Comparable Facts

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

Saddleback College is larger than Cuesta College based on total student enrollment (20,764 students vs. 11,283 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cuesta College vs. Saddleback College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cuesta College or Saddleback 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 Saddleback College than Cuesta College ($8,122 vs. $16,541).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cuesta College are 14.3% lower than at Saddleback College ($22,086 vs. $25,769).
• Cuesta College is 16.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Saddleback College (about $194 more per year; $1,350.00 vs. $1,156.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.7% higher at Saddleback College than at Cuesta College (about $850 more per year; $11,860.00 vs. $11,010.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saddleback College than at Cuesta College (77% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saddleback College students is 11.1% larger than aid received by Cuesta College students ($4,603 vs. $4,143).

Cuesta College vs. Saddleback College Admissions comparison

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

Cuesta College vs. Saddleback College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cuesta College and Saddleback 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 Saddleback College earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than Cuesta College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,300 vs. $40,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Saddleback College graduates have a $5,130 lower median loan debt than Cuesta College graduates ($6,120 vs. $11,250).
• Among borrowers, Saddleback College graduates have an estimated $53 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cuesta College graduates ($63 vs. $116).
• More Cuesta College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saddleback 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.