Cuesta College
San Luis Obispo, California · Public · 7,180 undergraduates
All 3 programs with reported earnings leave graduates out-earning a typical California high-school graduate (about $36,976/yr). Another 110 programs did not have enough data to judge.
What families actually pay
| Family income | Net price per year |
|---|---|
| Under $30k | $10,414 |
| $30k to $48k | $10,905 |
| $48k to $75k | $15,150 |
| $75k to $110k | $16,620 |
| $110k and up | $18,448 |
| All families (average) | $12,124 |
Net price is the yearly cost after grants and scholarships, by family income (College Scorecard). Credit: TuitionTracker.
Program earnings vs a high-school graduate
| Program | Credential | Median earnings | vs HS grad | Verdict | Median debt | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | Associate's Degree | $39,218 | +$2,242 | clears the bar | n/a | n/a |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | Associate's Degree | $55,527 | +$18,551 | clears the bar | n/a | n/a |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Associate's Degree | $112,730 | +$75,754 | clears the bar | n/a | n/a |
Access and outcomes: 18% of students receive Pell grants · 48% complete their program.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 2026-06-10). Earnings are median earnings of graduates measured up to four years after completing, compared to the state high-school-graduate earnings threshold. Figures describe past graduates and are never a promise. Method: methodology. Something look wrong? Report it.