Cal Poly vs. Humboldt State University

Should I go to California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo or Humboldt State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Cal Poly or Humboldt State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo vs. Humboldt State University comparison
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo Humboldt State University College 3 College 4
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo Humboldt State University
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Overview

Cal Poly Humboldt State University
Location San Luis Obispo, CA Arcata, CA
Setting Small Suburban Remote Town
Enrollment 22,000 6,025
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #155 #831
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website calpoly.edu humboldt.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Cal Poly Humboldt State University
Tuition (In State) $5,742 $5,742
Tuition (Out of State) $17,622 $17,622
Room & Board $16,449 $12,540
Avg Net Price $19,184 $14,325
Avg Grant Aid $10,065 $9,262
% Receiving Grant Aid 42% 66%

Admission

Cal Poly Humboldt State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 58,774 8,505
Admitted 17,885 8,350
Acceptance Rate 30.4% 98.2%
Enrolled % 28.6% 11.5%
Avg High School GPA 4.0 3.33
Typical High School Grades A/A+ B+
Admissions Standards Very High Easy
Applicant Competition High
ACT Range 26/32 17/25
SAT Range 1220/1410 970/1190
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Nov 30, 2024 Apr 30, 2025

Academics

Cal Poly Humboldt State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 20:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Engineering (24%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Agriculture (15%)
  • Architecture (8%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (12%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)

Outcomes

Cal Poly Humboldt State University
Graduation Rate 75% 40%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $69,400 $39,000
Making Student Loan Payments 85% 56%
Median Student Loan Debt $18,666 $19,500
Median Loan Payment $193 $201

Diversity

Cal Poly Humboldt State University
% Men 51% 42%
% Women 49% 58%
Racial Diversity High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 57% 45%
% Black 1% 3%
% Hispanic 16% 33%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 6%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 5% 7%

Students

Cal Poly Humboldt State University
% In-State 83% 91%
% Out-of-State 16% 8%

Campus

Cal Poly Humboldt State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is larger than than Humboldt State University based on total student enrollment (22,000 students vs. 6,025 students)

Cal Poly vs. Humboldt State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal Poly or Humboldt State University?

  • California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo and Humboldt State University cost the same to attend based on in-state tuition ($5,742.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is the same at Cal Poly as Humboldt State University ($17,622.00 vs. $17,622.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Humboldt State University than Cal Poly ($14,325 vs. $19,184)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Humboldt State University are 31.2% lower than costs at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ($12,540 vs. $16,449)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Humboldt State University than California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (66% vs. 42%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students is 8.7% larger than aid received Humboldt State University ($10,065 vs. $9,262)

Cal Poly vs. Humboldt State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal Poly or Humboldt State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Humboldt State University or Cal Poly .

  • The average SAT score at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (1259) is 269 points higher than at Humboldt State University (990)
  • Incoming Cal Poly students have a 8 point higher average ACT score (29) than students at Humboldt State University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Cal Poly students have a 0.67 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Humboldt State University (3.33)
  • Humboldt State University has a higher acceptance rate (98.2%) than Cal Poly (30.4%)

Cal Poly vs. Humboldt State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Cal Poly or Humboldt State University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Humboldt State University and Cal Poly.

  • The graduation rate at Cal Poly is higher than Humboldt State University (75% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn on average $30,400 more per year than Humboldt State University graduates after ten years. ($69,400 vs. $39,000)
  • California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students graduate with a $834 lower median federal student loan debt than Humboldt State University graduates. ($18,666 vs. $19,500)
  • Cal Poly graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans than Humboldt State University graduates. ($193 vs. $201)
  • More Cal Poly graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Humboldt State University students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 56%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/