California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. CSUMB

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Monterey Bay is larger than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt based on total student enrollment (7,713 students vs. 6,237 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is located in Arcata, CA (Remote Town setting); California State University Monterey Bay is in Seaside, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Monterey Bay is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 16:1; California State University Monterey Bay 24:1.

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. CSUMB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt or CSUMB? 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 CSUMB ($14,090 vs. $14,493).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt are 18.1% lower than at California State University Monterey Bay ($14,118 vs. $17,234).
• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is 6.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSUMB (about $471 more per year; $8,250.00 vs. $7,779.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.3% higher at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt than at California State University Monterey Bay (about $471 more per year; $20,850.00 vs. $20,379.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Monterey Bay than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (71% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Monterey Bay students is 13.4% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Humboldt students ($12,185 vs. $10,748).

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. CSUMB Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (1080) is 20 points higher than at CSUMB (1060).
• Incoming California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at CSUMB).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 970/1190; California State University Monterey Bay 960/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 17/25; California State University Monterey Bay 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt - Test-free; CSUMB - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027; CSUMB Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CSUMB students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (3.33).
• California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt has a higher acceptance rate (98.2%) than CSUMB (97.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.9% at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. 9.8% at CSUMB.

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

How do outcomes compare for California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt and CSUMB? 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 Polytechnic University Humboldt's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than California State University Monterey Bay's (38%).
• Graduates from California State University Monterey Bay earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Monterey Bay graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates ($14,000 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, CSUMB graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates ($144 vs. $201).
• More CSUMB 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.