California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. San Francisco State

Comparable Facts

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

San Francisco State University is larger than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt based on total student enrollment (22,563 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 Francisco State University is in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. San Francisco State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 16:1; San Francisco State University 19:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt or San Francisco 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 San Francisco State University than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt ($13,168 vs. $14,090).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt are 36.6% lower than at San Francisco State University ($14,118 vs. $22,266).
• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is 3.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Francisco State (about $300 more per year; $8,250.00 vs. $7,950.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.5% higher at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt than at San Francisco State University (about $300 more per year; $20,850.00 vs. $20,550.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Francisco State University than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (77% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Francisco State University students is 20.9% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Humboldt students ($12,996 vs. $10,748).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (1080) is 50 points higher than at San Francisco State (1030).
• Incoming California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 19 at San Francisco State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 970/1190; San Francisco State University 930/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 17/25; San Francisco State University 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt - Test-free; San Francisco State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027; San Francisco State Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at San Francisco State (3.31).
• California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt has a higher acceptance rate (98.2%) than San Francisco State (96.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.9% at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. 8.6% at San Francisco State.

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

How do outcomes compare for California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt and San Francisco 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 Francisco State University's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than California State Polytechnic University Humboldt's (40%).
• Graduates from San Francisco State University earn a median of about $13,600 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,600 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Francisco State University graduates have a $2,250 lower median loan debt than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates ($17,250 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, San Francisco State graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates ($178 vs. $201).
• More San Francisco State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.