Cuesta College
San Luis Obispo, CA, USA

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Affordability and Cost

Average Net Price Average net price for full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates paying the in-state or in-district tuition rate who were awarded grant or scholarship aid from federal, state or local governments, or the institution. Other sources of grant aid are excluded. Aid awarded anytime during the full aid year is included.

Average net price is generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state or local government, or institutional grant and scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. Total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies and the weighted average room and board and other expenses.
$7,790
Calculate your net cost
Average Net Price By Family Income
Income
Average Amount
< $30k
$9,891
$30k - $48k
$10,288
$48k - $75k
$13,636
$75k - $110k
$16,691
$110k+
$16,060
Tuition
In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.
$1,340
Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school.
$9,348
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
  • (amount for on-campus room, board and other expenses * # of students living on-campus.
  • + amount for off-campus (with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus with family
  • + amount for off-campus (not with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus not with family)
divided by the total # of students. Students whose living arrangements are unknown are excluded from the calculation. For some institutions the # of students by living arrangement will be known, but dollar amounts will not be known. In this case the # of students with no corresponding dollar amount will be excluded from the denominator.
$13,293
Books and Supplies
$1,152
Tuition Payment Plan
No
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]

Aid & Grants

Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
20%
Average Aid Per Year
$3,963
Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
20%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,031
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$296
Students receiving state aid
78%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$1,751
Students receiving federal aid
34%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,031

Student Loans

Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
4%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$5,741
Students receiving federal loans
4%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$5,741
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$8,500
Loan Default Rate
7%
US National: 7%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$100

What Students Are Saying

For the First year at Cuesta (two semesters and a short summer semester) I had spent a total of about 1000 Dollars. The parking is cheap and usually plentiful, and the tuition is cheap for a wonderful school!!!!
Jacob from Atascadero, CA
Each year as high school students around the world prepare for college, many are disheartened by the reality that major universities are expensive and often very hard to get into. Luckily, community colleges have been doing an incredible job of providing excellent learning environments while still keeping prices reasonable. Even with the decline in the economy, Cuesta has kept it's staff sharp and its facility running well.
Kasey from Avila Beach, CA
It is a little more expensive to live here than in the valley but it is definitely worth it! You are so close to the beach and it is a beautiful area and it is cheaper than Santa Barbara, San Diego or other coastal areas. Cuesta is a good school and the students are all very laid back.
Elina from San Luis Obispo, CA
Most people get the class fee waived which saves around $1,000 every year, and that is a HUGE help. It is still pretty expensive having to buy your books, and especially living in San Luis, but nothing compared to a university.
Student from California
Cuesta is such an affordable community college and all of the campus services are great and the staff are willing to go above and above for their students.
Lucinda from Grover Beach, CA