California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. Pacific

Comparable Facts

Compare California State Polytechnic University Humboldt in Arcata, CA with Pacific University in Forest Grove, OR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is larger than Pacific based on total student enrollment (6,237 students vs. 3,427 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is located in Arcata, CA (Remote Town setting); Pacific University is in Forest Grove, OR (Large Suburban setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 16:1; Pacific University 10:1.

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. Pacific Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt or Pacific? 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 Pacific ($14,090 vs. $35,235).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt are 9.6% lower than at Pacific University ($14,118 vs. $15,620).
• Pacific University is 583.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (about $48,124 more per year; $56,374.00 vs. $8,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 170.4% higher at Pacific than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (about $35,524 more per year; $56,374.00 vs. $20,850.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pacific University than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (98% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific University students is 245.5% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Humboldt students ($37,139 vs. $10,748).

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. Pacific Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (1080) is 10 points higher than at Pacific (1070).
• Incoming Pacific 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; Pacific University 900/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 17/25; Pacific University 18/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt - Test-free; Pacific - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027; Pacific Aug 25, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Pacific students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (3.33).
• California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt has a higher acceptance rate (98.2%) than Pacific (89.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.9% at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. 13.1% at Pacific.

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

How do outcomes compare for California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt and Pacific? 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).

• Pacific University's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than California State Polytechnic University Humboldt's (40%).
• Graduates from Pacific University earn a median of about $7,800 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,800 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State Polytechnic University Humboldt graduates have a $6,656 lower median loan debt than Pacific graduates ($19,500 vs. $26,156).
• Among borrowers, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates have an estimated $69 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pacific graduates ($201 vs. $270).
• More Pacific graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.