National nonprofit names Cuesta College one of the best in U.S.
San Luis Obispo County’s Cuesta College was named among the top community colleges in the nation, according to the Aspen Institute, a national nonprofit that sponsors a college excellence program.
Cuesta’s ranking on the list makes the campus eligible to apply for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence — the country’s “premier recognition of high achievement and performance among two-year colleges,” a Friday news release said.
Cuesta earned its spot on the list based on its student outcomes, including retention, completion, transfer, and bachelor’s attainment data, the release said.
Cuesta was one of 200 colleges to make the list nationwide — and one of only 14 in California, which has 116 community colleges statewide.
“We are deeply honored to be recognized by the Aspen Institute as one of the top community colleges in the nation,” Cuesta College President Jill Stearns said in the release. “This distinction reflects our commitment to academic excellence, equitable student outcomes, and continuous improvement. At Cuesta College, we’re focused on creating opportunities that help every student succeed and build a brighter future for themselves and our community.”
The Aspen Prize winner won’t be decided until spring 2027, the release said. Reviewers will assess applicants’ outcome data and practices to decide the winner.
This is the first year since the program started in 2010 that 200 colleges have been eligible. Previously, only 150 colleges were selected, Cuesta said in the release.
The Aspen Prize is awarded every two years.
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