Cuesta College vs. San Diego City College

Comparable Facts

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

San Diego City College is larger than Cuesta College based on total student enrollment (13,242 students vs. 11,283 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cuesta College is located in San Luis Obispo, CA (Rural Fringe setting); San Diego City College is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• Cuesta College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. San Diego City College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cuesta College 27:1; San Diego City College 22:1.

Cuesta College vs. San Diego City College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cuesta College or San Diego 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 San Diego City College than Cuesta College ($10,040 vs. $16,541).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cuesta College are 29.3% lower than at San Diego City College ($22,086 vs. $31,243).
• Cuesta College is 17.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego City College (about $204 more per year; $1,350.00 vs. $1,146.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.1% higher at Cuesta College than at San Diego City College (about $1,008 more per year; $11,010.00 vs. $10,002.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Diego City College than at Cuesta College (87% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego City College students is 153.4% larger than aid received by Cuesta College students ($10,500 vs. $4,143).

Cuesta College vs. San Diego City College Admissions comparison

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

Cuesta College vs. San Diego City College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cuesta College and San Diego 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 $7,600 more per year than San Diego City College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,800 vs. $33,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego City College graduates have a $6,750 lower median loan debt than Cuesta College graduates ($4,500 vs. $11,250).
• Among borrowers, San Diego City 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 San Diego City 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.