CSU vs. Humboldt State University

Should I go to California State University Chico or Humboldt State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CSU 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 State University Chico vs. Humboldt State University comparison
California State University Chico Humboldt State University College 3 College 4
California State University Chico Humboldt State University
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Overview

CSU Humboldt State University
Location Chico, CA Arcata, CA
Setting Small City Remote Town
Enrollment 14,183 6,025
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #659 #831
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website csuchico.edu humboldt.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CSU Humboldt State University
Tuition (In State) $5,742 $5,742
Tuition (Out of State) $17,622 $17,622
Room & Board $15,212 $12,540
Avg Net Price $15,517 $14,325
Avg Grant Aid $9,162 $9,262
% Receiving Grant Aid 62% 66%

Admission

CSU Humboldt State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 21,417 8,505
Admitted 20,347 8,350
Acceptance Rate 95% 98.2%
Enrolled % 9.9% 11.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.37 3.33
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 17/25
SAT Range 970/1170 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 Dec 15, 2024 Apr 30, 2025

Academics

CSU Humboldt State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 20:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (12%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)

Outcomes

CSU Humboldt State University
Graduation Rate 59% 40%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $52,400 $39,000
Making Student Loan Payments 70% 56%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,000 $19,500
Median Loan Payment $175 $201

Diversity

CSU Humboldt State University
% Men 45% 42%
% Women 55% 58%
Racial Diversity Very High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 46% 45%
% Black 2% 3%
% Hispanic 29% 33%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 6%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 7% 7%

Students

CSU Humboldt State University
% In-State 97% 91%
% Out-of-State 2% 8%

Campus

CSU 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 State University Chico is larger than than Humboldt State University based on total student enrollment (14,183 students vs. 6,025 students)

CSU vs. Humboldt State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or Humboldt State University?

  • California State University Chico 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 CSU 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 CSU ($14,325 vs. $15,517)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Humboldt State University are 21.3% lower than costs at California State University Chico ($12,540 vs. $15,212)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Humboldt State University than California State University Chico (66% vs. 62%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Humboldt State University students is 1.1% larger than aid received California State University Chico ($9,262 vs. $9,162)

CSU vs. Humboldt State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU 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 CSU .

  • The average SAT score at California State University Chico (1003) is 13 points higher than at Humboldt State University (990)
  • Incoming CSU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Humboldt State University (21)
  • Accepted freshman CSU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at Humboldt State University (3.33)
  • Humboldt State University has a higher acceptance rate (98.2%) than CSU (95%)

CSU vs. Humboldt State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CSU 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 CSU.

  • The graduation rate at CSU is higher than Humboldt State University (59% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from California State University Chico earn on average $13,400 more per year than Humboldt State University graduates after ten years. ($52,400 vs. $39,000)
  • California State University Chico students graduate with a $2,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Humboldt State University graduates. ($17,000 vs. $19,500)
  • CSU graduates are paying $26 less per month on federal student loans than Humboldt State University graduates. ($175 vs. $201)
  • More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Humboldt State University students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 56%)

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