Sacramento State vs. California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Sacramento in Sacramento, 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 Sacramento is larger than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt based on total student enrollment (31,943 students vs. 6,237 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Sacramento is located in Sacramento, CA (Large City setting); California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is in Arcata, CA (Remote Town setting).
• California State University Sacramento 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 Sacramento 24:1; California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 16:1.

Sacramento State vs. California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sacramento State 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 Sacramento than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt ($10,110 vs. $14,090).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt are 26.4% lower than at California State University Sacramento ($14,118 vs. $19,174).
• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is 2.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sacramento State (about $232 more per year; $8,250.00 vs. $8,018.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.1% higher at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt than at California State University Sacramento (about $232 more per year; $20,850.00 vs. $20,618.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Sacramento than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (82% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Sacramento students is 18.8% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Humboldt students ($12,767 vs. $10,748).

Sacramento State vs. California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Sacramento State 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 Sacramento State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (1080) is 50 points higher than at Sacramento State (1030).
• Incoming California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Sacramento State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Sacramento 930/1130; California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 970/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Sacramento 17/23; California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Sacramento State - Test-free; California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Sacramento State Nov 30, 2026; California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Sacramento State students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (3.33).
• California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt has a higher acceptance rate (98.2%) than Sacramento State (94%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at Sacramento State vs. 5.9% at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt.

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

How do outcomes compare for Sacramento State 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 Sacramento's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than California State Polytechnic University Humboldt's (40%).
• Graduates from California State University Sacramento earn a median of about $12,000 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Sacramento graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates ($15,750 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Sacramento State graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates ($162 vs. $201).
• More Sacramento State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students, three years after graduation. (64% 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.