Design Institute of San Diego vs. California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

Comparable Facts

Compare Design Institute of San Diego in San Diego, 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 Polytechnic University Humboldt is larger than Design Institute of San Diego based on total student enrollment (6,237 students vs. 94 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Design Institute of San Diego is located in San Diego, CA (Large City setting); California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is in Arcata, CA (Remote Town setting).
• Design Institute of San Diego is a private, for-profit 4-year institution. California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Design Institute of San Diego 8:1; California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 16:1.

Design Institute of San Diego vs. California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Design Institute of San Diego 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 Design Institute of San Diego ($14,090 vs. $44,010).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt are 36.1% lower than at Design Institute of San Diego ($14,118 vs. $22,086).
• Design Institute of San Diego is 255.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (about $21,050 more per year; $29,300.00 vs. $8,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40.5% higher at Design Institute of San Diego than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (about $8,450 more per year; $29,300.00 vs. $20,850.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Design Institute of San Diego than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (100% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Design Institute of San Diego students is 10.7% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Humboldt students ($11,901 vs. $10,748).

Design Institute of San Diego vs. California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Design Institute of San Diego or California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt and Design Institute of San Diego.

• Design Institute of San Diego reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresCalifornia State Polytechnic University Humboldt 970/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresCalifornia State Polytechnic University Humboldt 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Design Institute of San Diego - Open admission; California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027.
• Design Institute of San Diego has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (98.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.6% at Design Institute of San Diego vs. 5.9% at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt.

Design Institute of San Diego vs. California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Design Institute of San Diego and California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Design Institute of San Diego's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than California State Polytechnic University Humboldt's (40%).
• Graduates from California State Polytechnic University Humboldt earn a median of about $100 more per year than Design Institute of San Diego graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,000 vs. $38,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State Polytechnic University Humboldt graduates have a $21,085 lower median loan debt than Design Institute of San Diego graduates ($19,500 vs. $40,585).
• Among borrowers, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates have an estimated $218 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Design Institute of San Diego graduates ($201 vs. $419).
• More Design Institute of San Diego graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.