Cuesta College Tuition (2026)

San Luis Obispo, CA · Public · Associate's degree · College Scorecard data · Updated September 10, 2026

In-State Tuition$1,350
Out-of-State Tuition$11,010
CA Average$16,639
National Average$18,082

Tuition Comparison

TuitionDifference
Cuesta College (in-state)$1,350—
CA average$16,639-92%
National average$18,082-93%

Four-year cost at Cuesta College

Per yearFour years
In-state$1,350$5,400
Out-of-state$11,010$44,040

Tuition only. Housing, books and living costs are not included — most colleges publish a fuller cost-of-attendance figure.

Where Cuesta College sits on cost in CA

Cuesta College ranks 79 by in-state tuition among the 288 CA colleges that report a rate — lower is cheaper. Out-of-state students pay 716% more than in-state students.

Colleges with a similar price to Cuesta CollegeIn-state tuition
Cuyamaca College$1,346
Palomar College$1,354
Southwestern College$1,344
Butte College$1,356

FAQ

How much is tuition at Cuesta College?

In-state tuition at Cuesta College is $1,350 per year; out-of-state students pay $11,010.

How does Cuesta College tuition compare to the CA average?

Cuesta College in-state tuition is 92% below the CA average of $16,639.

How does Cuesta College tuition compare to the national average?

National average in-state tuition is $18,082; Cuesta College is 93% below that.

Is $1,350 expensive for in-state students?

$1,350 is the official in-state tuition published by College Scorecard for the most recent cohort year.

What does four years at Cuesta College cost?

Four years of tuition at Cuesta College comes to about $5,400 for an in-state student and $44,040 for an out-of-state student at current rates. That is tuition only — it excludes housing, books and living costs.

Where does Cuesta College rank on cost in CA?

By in-state tuition, Cuesta College ranks 79 out of the 288 CA colleges that report a rate — lower numbers are cheaper. The five cheapest and five most expensive colleges in the state are listed above.