California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. SCI-Arc

Comparable Facts

Compare California State Polytechnic University Humboldt in Arcata, CA with Southern California Institute of Architecture in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is larger than SCI-Arc based on total student enrollment (6,237 students vs. 418 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is located in Arcata, CA (Remote Town setting); Southern California Institute of Architecture is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern California Institute of Architecture is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 16:1; Southern California Institute of Architecture 9:1.

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. SCI-Arc Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt or SCI-Arc? 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 SCI-Arc ($14,090 vs. $28,985).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern California Institute of Architecture are 3.7% lower than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt ($13,600 vs. $14,118).
• Southern California Institute of Architecture is 580.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (about $47,912 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $8,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 169.4% higher at SCI-Arc than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (about $35,312 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $20,850.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt than at Southern California Institute of Architecture (66% vs. 26%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern California Institute of Architecture students is 296.6% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Humboldt students ($42,627 vs. $10,748).

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. SCI-Arc Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern California Institute of Architecture (1130) is 50 points higher than at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (1080).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 970/1190; Southern California Institute of Architecture 1020/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt - Test-free; SCI-Arc - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027; SCI-Arc Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SCI-Arc students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (3.33).
• California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt has a higher acceptance rate (98.2%) than SCI-Arc (76.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.9% at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. 7% at SCI-Arc.

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. SCI-Arc Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Southern California Institute of Architecture's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than California State Polytechnic University Humboldt's (40%).
• Graduates from Southern California Institute of Architecture earn a median of about $7,400 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State Polytechnic University Humboldt graduates have a $23,250 lower median loan debt than SCI-Arc graduates ($19,500 vs. $42,750).
• Among borrowers, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates have an estimated $241 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCI-Arc graduates ($201 vs. $442).
• More SCI-Arc graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.