Humboldt State University vs. La Sierra University

Should I go to Humboldt State University or La Sierra University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Humboldt State University or La Sierra University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

CSU Sonoma State University San Francisco State CSUMB UCSC USC Sacramento State UC Davis Cal Poly UC Merced San Jose State San Diego State
Humboldt State University vs. La Sierra University comparison
Humboldt State University La Sierra University College 3 College 4
Humboldt State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Humboldt State University La Sierra University
Location Arcata, CA Riverside, CA
Setting Remote Town Large City
Enrollment 6,025 1,614
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #831 #645
Religious Affiliation - Seventh Day Adventists - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website humboldt.edu lasierra.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Humboldt State University La Sierra University
Tuition (In State) $5,742 $33,912
Tuition (Out of State) $17,622 $33,912
Room & Board $12,540 $11,325
Avg Net Price $14,325 $25,076
Avg Grant Aid $9,262 $21,867
% Receiving Grant Aid 66% 100%

Admission

Humboldt State University La Sierra University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,505 1,878
Admitted 8,350 1,725
Acceptance Rate 98.2% 91.9%
Enrolled % 11.5% 19.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.33 3.54
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/25 18/28
SAT Range 970/1190 880/1140
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Apr 30, 2025

Academics

Humboldt State University La Sierra University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Natural Resources Conservation (12%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Biology (24%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)

Outcomes

Humboldt State University La Sierra University
Graduation Rate 40% 32%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,000 $51,900
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 52%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,500 $30,000
Median Loan Payment $201 $310

Diversity

Humboldt State University La Sierra University
% Men 42% 40%
% Women 58% 60%
Racial Diversity Very High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 45% 14%
% Black 3% 6%
% Hispanic 33% 48%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 2%
% Two or More Races 6% 4%
% International 1% 11%
% Unknown Race 7% 0%

Students

Humboldt State University La Sierra University
% In-State 91% 84%
% Out-of-State 8% 9%

Campus

Humboldt State University La Sierra University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Humboldt State University is larger than than La Sierra University based on total student enrollment (6,025 students vs. 1,614 students)

Humboldt State University vs. La Sierra University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Humboldt State University or La Sierra University?

  • La Sierra University is 490.6% more expensive to attend than Humboldt State University for in-state tuition ($33,912.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 92.4% higher at La Sierra University than Humboldt State University ($33,912.00 vs. $17,622.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Humboldt State University than La Sierra University ($14,325 vs. $25,076)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at La Sierra University are 10.7% lower than costs at Humboldt State University ($11,325 vs. $12,540)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at La Sierra University than Humboldt State University (100% vs. 66%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by La Sierra University students is 136.1% larger than aid received Humboldt State University ($21,867 vs. $9,262)

Humboldt State University vs. La Sierra University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Humboldt State University or La Sierra University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between La Sierra University or Humboldt State University .

  • The average SAT score at Humboldt State University (990) is 61 points higher than at La Sierra University (929)
  • Incoming Humboldt State University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at La Sierra University (19)
  • Accepted freshman La Sierra University students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at Humboldt State University (3.33)
  • Humboldt State University has a higher acceptance rate (98.2%) than La Sierra University (91.9%)

Humboldt State University vs. La Sierra University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Humboldt State University or La Sierra University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between La Sierra University and Humboldt State University.

  • The graduation rate at Humboldt State University is higher than La Sierra University (40% vs. 32%)
  • Graduates from La Sierra University earn on average $12,900 more per year than Humboldt State University graduates after ten years. ($51,900 vs. $39,000)
  • Humboldt State University students graduate with a $10,500 lower median federal student loan debt than La Sierra University graduates. ($19,500 vs. $30,000)
  • Humboldt State University graduates are paying $109 less per month on federal student loans than La Sierra University graduates. ($201 vs. $310)
  • More Humboldt State University 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/