California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. USF

Comparable Facts

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

University of San Francisco is larger than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt based on total student enrollment (8,913 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 Francisco is in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of San Francisco is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 16:1; University of San Francisco 11:1.

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. USF Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt or USF? 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 USF ($14,090 vs. $45,443).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt are 28.6% lower than at University of San Francisco ($14,118 vs. $19,764).
• University of San Francisco is 633.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (about $52,242 more per year; $60,492.00 vs. $8,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 190.1% higher at USF than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (about $39,642 more per year; $60,492.00 vs. $20,850.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of San Francisco than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (95% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of San Francisco students is 223.1% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Humboldt students ($34,723 vs. $10,748).

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. USF Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of San Francisco (1290) is 210 points higher than at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (1080).
• Incoming USF students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 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; University of San Francisco 1190/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 17/25; University of San Francisco 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt - Test-free; USF - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027; USF Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman USF students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (3.33).
• California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt has a higher acceptance rate (98.2%) than USF (61.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.9% at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. 6% at USF.

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

How do outcomes compare for California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt and USF? 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 Francisco's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than California State Polytechnic University Humboldt's (40%).
• Graduates from University of San Francisco earn a median of about $31,400 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,400 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State Polytechnic University Humboldt graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than USF graduates ($19,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USF graduates ($201 vs. $258).
• More USF 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.