Cuesta College

Overview

Cuesta College is a public community college located in San Luis Obispo County, California, midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, nestled in the Central Coast region near the city of San Luis Obispo. Established in 1963, the main campus covers a sprawling 150 acres and is notable for its scenic hillside setting, providing views of the surrounding mountains. While not known for a particular architectural style, the campus's structures blend with the natural landscape. Cuesta College is primarily a commuter school, offering limited on-campus student housing. The college provides a diverse array of associate degree programs and certificates, with notable strengths in the nursing and emergency medical services programs. The institution is also recognized for its fine arts and liberal arts curricula, serving a range of students from traditional high school graduates to returning adult learners. Cuesta College features a generally open admissions policy, focusing on accessibility and inclusivity for the regional community. While Cuesta College is not distinguished for a high-profile athletic program, it does offer a variety of sports with teams participating under the name Cougars in the California Community College Athletic Association but is primarily focused on the academic and vocational development of its students.

Cuesta College has an open admission policy which permits enrollment by any high school graduate or GED holding student.  2,758 students are enrolled on a full time basis, and 7,150 attend part time. In-state tuition for 2022/2023, excluding room and board, is $1,288 plus fees of $52.