California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. CSU Channel Islands

Comparable Facts

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

California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is larger than CSU Channel Islands based on total student enrollment (6,237 students vs. 5,592 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is located in Arcata, CA (Remote Town setting); California State University Channel Islands is in Camarillo, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Channel Islands is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 16:1; California State University Channel Islands 16:1.

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. CSU Channel Islands Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt or CSU Channel Islands? 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 Channel Islands than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt ($10,632 vs. $14,090).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt are 8.9% lower than at California State University Channel Islands ($14,118 vs. $15,490).
• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is 15.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU Channel Islands (about $1,091 more per year; $8,250.00 vs. $7,159.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.5% higher at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt than at California State University Channel Islands (about $1,091 more per year; $20,850.00 vs. $19,759.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Channel Islands than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (79% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Channel Islands students is 16.6% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Humboldt students ($12,528 vs. $10,748).

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. CSU Channel Islands Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt or CSU Channel Islands? 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 CSU Channel Islands and California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 970/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt - Test-free; CSU Channel Islands - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027; CSU Channel Islands Jul 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at CSU Channel Islands (3.22).
• California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt has a higher acceptance rate (98.2%) than CSU Channel Islands (94.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.9% at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. 6.2% at CSU Channel Islands.

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

How do outcomes compare for California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt and CSU Channel Islands? 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 Channel Islands's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than California State Polytechnic University Humboldt's (40%).
• Graduates from California State University Channel Islands earn a median of about $7,100 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,100 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Channel Islands graduates have a $4,317 lower median loan debt than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates ($15,183 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, CSU Channel Islands graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates ($156 vs. $201).
• More CSU Channel Islands graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.