CSU vs. California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Chico in Chico, CA with California State Polytechnic University Humboldt in Arcata, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Chico is larger than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt based on total student enrollment (15,257 students vs. 6,237 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Chico is located in Chico, CA (Small City setting); California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is in Arcata, CA (Remote Town setting).
• California State University Chico is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Chico 23:1; California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 16:1.

CSU vs. California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt than CSU ($14,090 vs. $14,630).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt are 14.4% lower than at California State University Chico ($14,118 vs. $16,500).
• California State University Chico is 2.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (about $222 more per year; $8,472.00 vs. $8,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.1% higher at CSU than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (about $222 more per year; $21,072.00 vs. $20,850.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at California State University Chico as at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (66% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Chico students is 7.1% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Humboldt students ($11,509 vs. $10,748).

CSU vs. California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU or California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt and CSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (1080) is 10 points higher than at CSU (1070).
• Incoming CSU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Chico 970/1170; California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 970/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Chico 18/24; California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Dec 15, 2026; California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CSU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (3.33).
• California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt has a higher acceptance rate (98.2%) than CSU (92.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.2% at CSU vs. 5.9% at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt.

CSU vs. California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU and California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• California State University Chico's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than California State Polytechnic University Humboldt's (40%).
• Graduates from California State University Chico earn a median of about $13,400 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,400 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Chico graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates ($17,000 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, CSU graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates ($175 vs. $201).
• More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.