California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. San Diego State

Comparable Facts

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

San Diego State University is larger than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt based on total student enrollment (41,137 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); San Diego State University is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. San Diego State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 16:1; San Diego State University 27:1.

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. San Diego State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt or San Diego State? 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 San Diego State ($14,090 vs. $14,704).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt are 38.7% lower than at San Diego State University ($14,118 vs. $23,030).
• San Diego State University is 5.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (about $478 more per year; $8,728.00 vs. $8,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.3% higher at San Diego State than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (about $478 more per year; $21,328.00 vs. $20,850.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt than at San Diego State University (66% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego State University students is 12.1% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Humboldt students ($12,053 vs. $10,748).

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. San Diego State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at San Diego State University (1200) is 120 points higher than at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (1080).
• Incoming San Diego State students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 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; San Diego State University 1090/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 17/25; San Diego State University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt - Test-free; San Diego State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027; San Diego State Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman San Diego State students have a 0.49 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (3.33).
• California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt has a higher acceptance rate (98.2%) than San Diego State (36.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.9% at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. 20.4% at San Diego State.

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. San Diego State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• San Diego State University's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than California State Polytechnic University Humboldt's (40%).
• Graduates from San Diego State University earn a median of about $14,400 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,400 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego State University graduates have a $4,151 lower median loan debt than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates ($15,349 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, San Diego State graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates ($158 vs. $201).
• More San Diego State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.