California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. Southern Oregon University

Comparable Facts

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

California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is larger than Southern Oregon University based on total student enrollment (6,237 students vs. 5,113 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is located in Arcata, CA (Remote Town setting); Southern Oregon University is in Ashland, OR (Midsize Suburban setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Oregon University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 16:1; Southern Oregon University 23:1.

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. Southern Oregon University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt or Southern Oregon 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 California State Polytechnic University Humboldt than Southern Oregon University ($14,090 vs. $17,959).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt are 16.8% lower than at Southern Oregon University ($14,118 vs. $16,968).
• Southern Oregon University is 54.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (about $4,512 more per year; $12,762.00 vs. $8,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 52.9% higher at Southern Oregon University than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (about $11,037 more per year; $31,887.00 vs. $20,850.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Oregon University than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (91% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State Polytechnic University Humboldt students is 22.3% larger than aid received by Southern Oregon University students ($10,748 vs. $8,788).

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. Southern Oregon University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Oregon University (1110) is 30 points higher than at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (1080).
• Incoming California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at Southern Oregon University (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 970/1190; Southern Oregon University 980/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 17/25; Southern Oregon University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt - Test-free; Southern Oregon University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Southern Oregon University students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.34) than students at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (3.33).
• California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt has a higher acceptance rate (98.2%) than Southern Oregon University (88.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.9% at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. 29.3% at Southern Oregon University.

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. Southern Oregon University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt and Southern Oregon 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 Southern Oregon University's (33%).
• Graduates from Southern Oregon University earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,200 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State Polytechnic University Humboldt graduates have a $3,991 lower median loan debt than Southern Oregon University graduates ($19,500 vs. $23,491).
• Among borrowers, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southern Oregon University graduates ($201 vs. $242).
• More California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Oregon University students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 52%)

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.