Cuesta College vs. SBCC

Comparable Facts

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

Santa Barbara City College is larger than Cuesta College based on total student enrollment (12,334 students vs. 11,283 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cuesta College is located in San Luis Obispo, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Santa Barbara City College is in Santa Barbara, CA (Small City setting).
• Cuesta College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Santa Barbara City College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cuesta College 27:1; Santa Barbara City College 24:1.

Cuesta College vs. SBCC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cuesta College or SBCC? 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 Santa Barbara City College than Cuesta College ($14,186 vs. $16,541).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) are the same at Cuesta College and SBCC ($22,086).
• Cuesta College is 8.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than SBCC (about $110 more per year; $1,350.00 vs. $1,240.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.5% higher at Cuesta College than at Santa Barbara City College (about $578 more per year; $11,010.00 vs. $10,432.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cuesta College than at Santa Barbara City College (75% vs. 41%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Santa Barbara City College students is 42.1% larger than aid received by Cuesta College students ($5,889 vs. $4,143).

Cuesta College vs. SBCC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cuesta College or SBCC? 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 SBCC 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; SBCC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cuesta College Aug 13, 2027; SBCC Aug 19, 2027.

Cuesta College vs. SBCC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cuesta College and SBCC? 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 $400 more per year than SBCC graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,800 vs. $40,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Santa Barbara City College graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than Cuesta College graduates ($9,500 vs. $11,250).
• Among borrowers, SBCC graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cuesta College graduates ($98 vs. $116).
• More Cuesta College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SBCC students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 39%)

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.