California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. San Jose State

Comparable Facts

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

San Jose State University is larger than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt based on total student enrollment (37,661 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 Jose State University is in San Jose, CA (Large City setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. San Jose State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 16:1; San Jose State University 25:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt or San Jose 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 Jose State University than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt ($13,892 vs. $14,090).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt are 32.7% lower than at San Jose State University ($14,118 vs. $20,971).
• San Jose State University is 1.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (about $160 more per year; $8,410.00 vs. $8,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.8% higher at San Jose State than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (about $160 more per year; $21,010.00 vs. $20,850.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt than at San Jose State University (66% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Jose State University students is 14.9% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Humboldt students ($12,353 vs. $10,748).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at San Jose State University (1130) is 50 points higher than at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (1080).
• Incoming San Jose State students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 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 Jose State University 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 17/25; San Jose State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt - Test-free; San Jose State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027; San Jose State Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman San Jose State students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.35) than students at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (3.33).
• California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt has a higher acceptance rate (98.2%) than San Jose State (84.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.9% at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. 14.7% at San Jose State.

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

How do outcomes compare for California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt and San Jose 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 Jose State University's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than California State Polytechnic University Humboldt's (40%).
• Graduates from San Jose State University earn a median of about $20,900 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,900 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Jose State University graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates ($15,000 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, San Jose State graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates ($155 vs. $201).
• More San Jose State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.