About Cuesta College

Founded in 1963, Cuesta College. is a college. Located in California, which is a city setting in California, the campus itself is Suburban. The campus is home to 10,232 full time undergraduate students, and 0 full time graduate students.

The Cuesta College Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 26:1. There are 155 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Cuesta College include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate100%
Application Deadline
Application Fee0
SAT Range
ACT Range

Admissions at are considered , with ,3% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

0% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 0% were in the top quarter, and 0% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Cuesta College.

Cuesta College REVIEWS

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  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    9 Students rated on-campus housing 2 stars. 11 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    11 Students rated off-campus housing 3.2 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    15 Students rated campus food 2.9 stars. 7 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    15 Students rated campus facilities 4.1 stars. 40 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    15 Students rated class size 4.2 stars. 40 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    14 Students rated school activities 3.6 stars. 21 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    15 Students rated local services 3.6 stars. 13 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    15 Students rated academics 4.4 stars. 47 % gave the school a 5.0.

What's your overall opinion of Cuesta College?

19 Students rated Cuesta College

Kailee - 03/23/2023

Cuesta is a great stepping stone between high school and a four-year university! I took advantage of the Cuesta Promise (two years of free tuition for local high school graduates) and I couldn't be happier with my decision. I'm finishing up my final semester here with my Associate's degree to transfer, and I'll be off to Cal State Fullerton next Fall to finish up my Bachelor's degree. Cuesta isn't a hugely exciting school but I felt it had everything I needed to be a successful student.

Liyah - 03/09/2023

it is a great school very easy to talk to and communicate. I am going to school to further myself in the medical field, so I will be partaking in their Psych Tech program. They have made this journey so far pretty great but a quick heads up you will need help finding housing (no on campus housing).

Darrelle - 08/04/2022

Cuesta College is a great community college in San Luis Obispo, California. They offer lots of majors for every student that wants an AA or transfer to a bigger college to earn a bigger degree. They offer programs for disabled students to help them through their college journey and not feel like they are left behind.

Shannon - 05/21/2020

Cuesta College is the ideal community college. It sets the tone for how other community college should be: small classroom sizes, great faculty, small campus, diverse population, and wonderful campus events. Cuesta is located in San Luis Obispo. It is land locked in an oasis of serene rolling green hills heaven. This is ideal for students who have a struggle staying focused, you are land locked on campus and have to drive at least 10 minutes to get to any store or shopping center. And once you are landlocked you realize that there is so much to explore and there are so many resources for you to truly succeed on a mental, emotional, physical and academic level. You not only become a strong student, but a strong person. The most phenomenal counselors, tutors, and staff work here. They push you hard, but behind their push they want to see you succeed. And there many wonderful campus events and fairs that go on during the school year: career fairs, college fairs, club rush, and student life. In addition there is a great college admissions staff, career counseling staff, and mental health counselors. The professors I have had at this schools have the best professors I have had at any school. But I would warn any student that STEM majors are the predominant majors and arts majors are a little bit less developed and funded. Regardless, I have felt like each of the faculty in academia helped me become the best version I could be. And not only have the staff been phenomenal, I have felt so welcomed by the people I have met here. With only a handful of students on campus, you really live in a small town, college town. I feel like people were more down to earth and were not caught up in the superficial culture of Hollywood, but rather taking the time to actually get to know who you are on a deep level. I wish anyone the best of luck to any one who gets the privilege of going to this school.

Cuesta College FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Cuesta College?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Cuesta College is 100%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    The best advice I could have given myself as high school senior would be to stay focused on your education, and forget about impressing kids in class. After high school is over, being highly educated is valued more than the your status in high school. College is great enviornment to learn, to have many new expiernces and to focus on the future of your career in life.

    Read all  19 answers

  3. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    There isnt much wrong with Cuesta, but i do think that they could use some more staff. Although, i know that due to budget cuts they are limited in this area.

    Read all  5 answers

  4. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    Pretty minor... the conflicting class times for regular classes and kinesiology activity courses.

    Read all  5 answers

  5. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    Cuesta is a Community College located in one of the most beautiful areas of California.

    Read all  4 answers

  6. What's unique about your campus?

    I absolutely love how supportive and encouraging the teachers are at my school. Each and every one of them seem to really care about the future and well being of each student. It's comforting to know that my the one whom are educating me see me as an individual and not just another student.

    Read all  4 answers

  7. What kind of person should attend this school?

    Any type of person could attend my school of choice. I am a single mom with a full time job so Cuesta allows me to work my classes around my personal life. They also allow you to get pre-reqs out of the way for the ability to tranfer to a 4-year collage as well.

    Read all  4 answers

  8. Describe the students at your school.

    As my school is well rounded and diverse, my classmates vary among age and educational experience, each contributing to the integrity and success of the student body of Cuesta College.

    Read all  3 answers

  9. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    It has the best grade retention of any community college in the state, and has the best transfer rate to Cal Poly and many other UCs and CSUs. I chose this school due to its great location in the Central Coast and its proximity to Cal Poly and got the chance to talk to proffesors who worked at Poly and Cuesta.

    Read all  3 answers

  10. What are the academics like at your school?

    Some classes are a lot harder than I expected, but the instructors do a great job of helping the students succeed.

    Read all  2 answers

  11. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    i wish i had know how slow their financial aid department

    Read all  2 answers

  12. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    If a person is not willing to come to class evryday then this not a right school for you. Even though it isnt a 4 year university, the teachers are just as qualified and you will benifit from being in small classes.

    Read all  2 answers

  13. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    Cuesta College has a wide veriaty of classes. Many of the professors teach at Cal Poly or Allen Hancock College down in Santa Maria. They try to make the learning experience fun, while keeping a steady work enviornment.

    Read all  1 answers

  14. What are the most popular student activities/groups?

    Getting involved in sports are the most popular activities in college. Nothing is better than knowing you have a team behind you to push you to do your best both on and off of the field.

    Read all  1 answers

Student Body

Students

50%

female

50%

male

10,232

Total Undergrad Enrollment

N/A

Total Grad Students

2%

Out-Of-State

97%

In-State

1%

International

Organizations

N/A

Student Organizations

N/A

Fraternities

N/A

Sororities

Housing

No

On-Campus Housing

N/A

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
1%
% Asian/Pacific Islander
3%
% Black or African-American
2%
% Hispanic/Latino
31%
% White or Caucasian
56%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

75% of students attending Cuesta College receive some sort of financial aid. 31% were awarded federal grants. While 6% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$6,408

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$1,764

Books and Supplies

$11,970

Room and Board

20,142

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$8,538
$30 - $48K
$9,459
$48 - $75K
$11,339
$75 - $110K
$13,530
$110K & UP
$14,968

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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