Cuesta College vs. Smith Chason College

Comparable Facts

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

Cuesta College is larger than Smith Chason College based on total student enrollment (11,283 students vs. 2,447 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cuesta College is located in San Luis Obispo, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Smith Chason College is in Los Angeles, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Cuesta College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Smith Chason College is a private, for-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cuesta College 27:1; Smith Chason College 21:1.

Cuesta College vs. Smith Chason College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cuesta College or Smith Chason 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 Cuesta College than Smith Chason College ($16,541 vs. $32,817).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) are the same at Cuesta College and Smith Chason College ($22,086).
• Smith Chason College is 1,310.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cuesta College (about $17,690 more per year; $19,040.00 vs. $1,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 72.9% higher at Smith Chason College than at Cuesta College (about $8,030 more per year; $19,040.00 vs. $11,010.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cuesta College than at Smith Chason College (75% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Smith Chason College students is 62.5% larger than aid received by Cuesta College students ($6,731 vs. $4,143).

Cuesta College vs. Smith Chason College Admissions comparison

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

Cuesta College vs. Smith Chason College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cuesta College and Smith Chason 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 Smith Chason College earn a median of about $15,400 more per year than Cuesta College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $40,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cuesta College graduates have a $8,750 lower median loan debt than Smith Chason College graduates ($11,250 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, Cuesta College graduates have an estimated $90 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Smith Chason College graduates ($116 vs. $206).
• More Cuesta College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Smith Chason College students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 48%)

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.