California State Polytechnic University Humboldt

5/10 Overall Rating
4 Year
Arcata, CA
0 reviews

#18 Best Public Universities in California

Overview Admission Cost Majors Diversity Outcomes Salaries Location Compare Reviews Admission Calculator

Overview

Total enrollment

6,237

Location Arcata, California
Website humboldt.edu
Type Public 4 Year
Setting Remote Town

Size Mid-size
Status Non-profit
Housing Yes
Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

Humboldt State University, located in Arcata on California's North Coast, sits amid ancient redwood forests approximately 270 miles north of San Francisco. The 144-acre main campus features a mix of contemporary and historic buildings nestled between Arcata Bay and forested hillsides, providing direct access to natural laboratories and research areas. Established in 1913 as a teachers' college, HSU has evolved into a comprehensive public institution known for its environmental science, forestry, wildlife management, and marine biology programs. The university operates several unique facilities, including a marine laboratory in Trinidad, an observatory, and a 385-acre forest used for research and instruction. Most first-year students live in one of the six residence halls on campus, while the university's location offers students opportunities for outdoor recreation and environmental research in the surrounding ecosystems.

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Ratings

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt is rated within the lower 40% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 5 out of 10.

Overall Rating

5 out of 10
Academics

4 out of 10
Resources

7 out of 10
Outcomes

4 out of 10
Value

4 out of 10

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Rankings

Rankings for California State Polytechnic University Humboldt within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.

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Admissions

Admission Standards

Easy

GPA 3.33

Acceptance Rate

98.2%

Applications Due Apr 30, 2027
Enrollment Rate 5.9%
Application Fee $70

Applicant Competition Very Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

California Resident Tuition

$8,250

Out of State Resident Tuition

$20,850

Breakdown

Tuition $8,250
Books and Supplies $870
Other Fees $2,166
Room and Board $14,118
Budget for Other Expenses $4,332
Total One Year Cost $29,736

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Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$39,000 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

40% within 6 years

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Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt are Natural Resources Conservation, Visual and Performing Arts, and Social Sciences. 12% of students major in Natural Resources Conservation, 11% in Visual and Performing Arts, and 10% in Social Sciences.