California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. Mount Saint Mary's University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State Polytechnic University Humboldt in Arcata, CA with Mount Saint Mary's University in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is larger than Mount Saint Mary's University based on total student enrollment (6,237 students vs. 2,312 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is located in Arcata, CA (Remote Town setting); Mount Saint Mary's University is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mount Saint Mary's University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 16:1; Mount Saint Mary's University 8:1.

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. Mount Saint Mary's University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt or Mount Saint Mary's 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 Mount Saint Mary's University ($14,090 vs. $27,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt are 9% lower than at Mount Saint Mary's University ($14,118 vs. $15,518).
• Mount Saint Mary's University is 500.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (about $41,314 more per year; $49,564.00 vs. $8,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 137.7% higher at Mount Saint Mary's University than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (about $28,714 more per year; $49,564.00 vs. $20,850.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Saint Mary's University than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (100% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Saint Mary's University students is 264.9% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Humboldt students ($39,218 vs. $10,748).

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. Mount Saint Mary's University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt or Mount Saint Mary's 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 Mount Saint Mary's 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 Mount Saint Mary's University (1010).
• Incoming California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Mount Saint Mary's University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 970/1190; Mount Saint Mary's University 900/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 17/25; Mount Saint Mary's University 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt - Test-free; Mount Saint Mary's University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mount Saint Mary's University students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (3.33).
• California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt has a higher acceptance rate (98.2%) than Mount Saint Mary's University (73.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.9% at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. 12% at Mount Saint Mary's University.

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. Mount Saint Mary's University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt and Mount Saint Mary's 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).

• Mount Saint Mary's University's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than California State Polytechnic University Humboldt's (40%).
• Graduates from Mount Saint Mary's University earn a median of about $20,000 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State Polytechnic University Humboldt graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Mount Saint Mary's University graduates ($19,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mount Saint Mary's University graduates ($201 vs. $258).
• More Mount Saint Mary's University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.