California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. Portland State University

Comparable Facts

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

Portland State University is larger than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt based on total student enrollment (19,951 students vs. 6,237 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is located in Arcata, CA (Remote Town setting); Portland State University is in Portland, OR (Large City setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Portland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 16:1; Portland State University 17:1.

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. Portland State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt or Portland State 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 Portland State University than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt ($10,195 vs. $14,090).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Portland State University are 2.8% lower than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt ($13,728 vs. $14,118).
• Portland State University is 41.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (about $3,429 more per year; $11,679.00 vs. $8,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 49% higher at Portland State University than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (about $10,224 more per year; $31,074.00 vs. $20,850.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Portland State University than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (89% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State Polytechnic University Humboldt students is 1.1% larger than aid received by Portland State University students ($10,748 vs. $10,629).

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. Portland State University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Portland State University (1130) is 50 points higher than at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (1080).
• Incoming California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Portland State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 970/1190; Portland State University 1000/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 17/25; Portland State University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt - Test-free; Portland State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Portland State University students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (3.33).
• California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt has a higher acceptance rate (98.2%) than Portland State University (90.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.9% at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. 18.2% at Portland State University.

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

How do outcomes compare for California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt and Portland State 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 Portland State University's (38%).
• Graduates from Portland State University earn a median of about $9,600 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State Polytechnic University Humboldt graduates have a $3,134 lower median loan debt than Portland State University graduates ($19,500 vs. $22,634).
• Among borrowers, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Portland State University graduates ($201 vs. $234).
• More California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Portland State University students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 55%)

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.