California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. La Sierra University

Comparable Facts

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

California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is larger than La Sierra University based on total student enrollment (6,237 students vs. 1,574 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is located in Arcata, CA (Remote Town setting); La Sierra University is in Riverside, CA (Large City setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. La Sierra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 16:1; La Sierra University 12:1.

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. La Sierra University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt or La Sierra University? 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 La Sierra University ($14,090 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at La Sierra University are 4.9% lower than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt ($13,431 vs. $14,118).
• La Sierra University is 357.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (about $29,460 more per year; $37,710.00 vs. $8,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 80.9% higher at La Sierra University than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (about $16,860 more per year; $37,710.00 vs. $20,850.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at La Sierra University than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (98% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by La Sierra University students is 157.2% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Humboldt students ($27,646 vs. $10,748).

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. La Sierra University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (1080) is 70 points higher than at La Sierra University (1010).
• Incoming La Sierra University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 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; La Sierra University 880/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 17/25; La Sierra University 18/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt - Test-free; La Sierra University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman La Sierra University students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (3.33).
• California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt has a higher acceptance rate (98.2%) than La Sierra University (91.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.9% at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. 13.3% at La Sierra University.

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. La Sierra University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt and La Sierra University? 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 La Sierra University's (32%).
• Graduates from La Sierra University earn a median of about $12,900 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,900 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State Polytechnic University Humboldt graduates have a $10,500 lower median loan debt than La Sierra University graduates ($19,500 vs. $30,000).
• Among borrowers, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates have an estimated $109 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than La Sierra University graduates ($201 vs. $310).
• More California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former La Sierra University students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 52%)

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.