Cuesta College
San Luis Obispo, California
Cuesta College is a public institution in San Luis Obispo, California with 6,879 undergraduate students. For nursing students, the useful read is not just whether a program exists, but how its tuition, completion rates, debt, and earnings compare with nearby options.
In-state tuition is $1,340 compared with a California nursing-school average of $10,571. The school reports a graduation rate of 44.2%, median earnings of $46,047, and median federal debt of $13,750.
$1,340 is lower than the state average of $10,571.
44.2% is lower than the state average of 55.0%.
$46,047 is higher than the state average of $43,430.
About Cuesta College
| Location | San Luis Obispo, California |
| Institution Type | Public |
| Highest Degree | associate |
| Website | www.cuesta.edu |
| In-State Tuition | $1,340 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $11,000 |
| Total Enrollment | 6,879 |
| Acceptance Rate | N/A |
| Graduation Rate | 44.2% |
| Retention Rate | 69.2% |
| Median Earnings (10 yrs after) | $46,047 |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $13,750 |
| Est. Monthly Loan Payment | $145 |
| Pell Grant Recipients | 18.1% |
| Students Receiving Loans | 2.1% |
| Loan Default Rate | 0.0% |
| Nursing Program | Available |
Cost and Return Snapshot
Based on published tuition, median debt, and earnings data
A typical graduate debt load would equal about 0.3 years of post-payment earnings capacity using the reported median earnings and 10-year monthly payment estimate.
Affordability Context
18.1% of students receive Pell Grants, a useful signal for how often the school serves lower-income students. 2.1% of students take federal loans, so borrowing is less common than at many institutions in the student body. The three-year loan default rate is 0.0%, which helps frame repayment risk alongside earnings and debt.
Cost and Outcomes Context
The value picture at Cuesta College depends on the relationship between price, borrowing, and outcomes. A simple four-year tuition estimate is $5,360, while the reported median debt is $13,750 with an estimated monthly payment of $145. These figures should be compared with aid offers and program-specific requirements before making a final decision.
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Student Demographics
The student body is largest among White students (49.6%), followed by Hispanic students (35.4%) and Asian students (3.1%).
Value Score
Median earnings ($46,047) divided by median debt ($13,750)