California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. USD

Comparable Facts

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

University of San Diego is larger than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt based on total student enrollment (9,714 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); University of San Diego is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of San Diego is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 16:1; University of San Diego 13:1.

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. USD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt or USD? 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 USD ($14,090 vs. $37,918).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt are 29.1% lower than at University of San Diego ($14,118 vs. $19,918).
• University of San Diego is 621% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (about $51,236 more per year; $59,486.00 vs. $8,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 185.3% higher at USD than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (about $38,636 more per year; $59,486.00 vs. $20,850.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of San Diego than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (84% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of San Diego students is 281.1% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Humboldt students ($40,965 vs. $10,748).

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. USD Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 970/1190.
• 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; USD - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027; USD Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman USD students have a 0.62 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (3.33).
• California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt has a higher acceptance rate (98.2%) than USD (52.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.9% at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. 12.4% at USD.

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University of San Diego's six-year graduation rate (75%) is higher than California State Polytechnic University Humboldt's (40%).
• Graduates from University of San Diego earn a median of about $31,200 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,200 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State Polytechnic University Humboldt graduates have a $3,404 lower median loan debt than USD graduates ($19,500 vs. $22,904).
• Among borrowers, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USD graduates ($201 vs. $236).
• More USD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.