Cuesta College vs. San Diego Mesa College

Comparable Facts

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

San Diego Mesa College is larger than Cuesta College based on total student enrollment (19,212 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 Mesa College is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• Cuesta College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. San Diego Mesa College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cuesta College 27:1; San Diego Mesa College 23:1.

Cuesta College vs. San Diego Mesa College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cuesta College or San Diego Mesa 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 Mesa College than Cuesta College ($10,316 vs. $16,541).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cuesta College are 29.3% lower than at San Diego Mesa College ($22,086 vs. $31,243).
• Cuesta College is 17.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego Mesa 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 Mesa 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 Mesa College than at Cuesta College (79% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego Mesa College students is 99.2% larger than aid received by Cuesta College students ($8,252 vs. $4,143).

Cuesta College vs. San Diego Mesa College Admissions comparison

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

Cuesta College vs. San Diego Mesa College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cuesta College and San Diego Mesa 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 San Diego Mesa College earn a median of about $800 more per year than Cuesta College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,600 vs. $40,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego Mesa College graduates have a $6,750 lower median loan debt than Cuesta College graduates ($4,500 vs. $11,250).
• Among borrowers, San Diego Mesa 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 Mesa College students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 41%)

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.