California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. IU Northwest

Comparable Facts

Compare California State Polytechnic University Humboldt in Arcata, CA with Indiana University Northwest in Gary, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is larger than IU Northwest based on total student enrollment (6,237 students vs. 3,041 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is located in Arcata, CA (Remote Town setting); Indiana University Northwest is in Gary, IN (Small City setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Indiana University Northwest is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 16:1; Indiana University Northwest 15:1.

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. IU Northwest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt or IU Northwest? 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 Indiana University Northwest than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt ($5,745 vs. $14,090).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University Northwest are 22.3% lower than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt ($10,972 vs. $14,118).
• Indiana University Northwest is 2.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (about $174 more per year; $8,424.00 vs. $8,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.4% higher at IU Northwest than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (about $1,961 more per year; $22,811.00 vs. $20,850.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Indiana University Northwest than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (76% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State Polytechnic University Humboldt students is 29.1% larger than aid received by Indiana University Northwest students ($10,748 vs. $8,327).

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. IU Northwest Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (1080) is 30 points higher than at IU Northwest (1050).
• Incoming IU Northwest students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 970/1190; Indiana University Northwest 910/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 17/25; Indiana University Northwest 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt - Test-free; IU Northwest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at IU Northwest (3.14).
• California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt has a higher acceptance rate (98.2%) than IU Northwest (73.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.9% at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. 23.5% at IU Northwest.

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. IU Northwest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt and IU Northwest? 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 Indiana University Northwest's (23%).
• Graduates from Indiana University Northwest earn a median of about $500 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,500 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State Polytechnic University Humboldt graduates have a $5,530 lower median loan debt than IU Northwest graduates ($19,500 vs. $25,030).
• Among borrowers, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IU Northwest graduates ($201 vs. $258).
• More California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU Northwest students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 33%)

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.