Cal State Fullerton vs. California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Fullerton in Fullerton, 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 Fullerton is larger than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt based on total student enrollment (43,662 students vs. 6,237 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Fullerton is located in Fullerton, CA (Midsize City setting); California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is in Arcata, CA (Remote Town setting).
• California State University Fullerton 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 Fullerton 26:1; California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 16:1.

Cal State Fullerton vs. California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Fullerton 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 University Fullerton than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt ($7,064 vs. $14,090).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt are 26% lower than at California State University Fullerton ($14,118 vs. $19,080).
• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is 10.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Fullerton (about $780 more per year; $8,250.00 vs. $7,470.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.9% higher at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt than at California State University Fullerton (about $780 more per year; $20,850.00 vs. $20,070.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Fullerton than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (78% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Fullerton students is 4.5% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Humboldt students ($11,234 vs. $10,748).

Cal State Fullerton vs. California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State Fullerton 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 Cal State Fullerton.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Fullerton (1090) is 10 points higher than at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (1080).
• Incoming California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Cal State Fullerton).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 1000/1180; California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 970/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 18/23; California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Fullerton - Test-free; California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Fullerton Nov 30, 2026; California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Fullerton students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (3.33).
• California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt has a higher acceptance rate (98.2%) than Cal State Fullerton (90.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at Cal State Fullerton vs. 5.9% at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt.

Cal State Fullerton vs. California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State Fullerton 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 Fullerton's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than California State Polytechnic University Humboldt's (40%).
• Graduates from California State University Fullerton earn a median of about $10,000 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fullerton graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates ($15,000 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Fullerton graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates ($155 vs. $201).
• More Cal State Fullerton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.