California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. USC

Comparable Facts

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

University of Southern California is larger than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt based on total student enrollment (46,566 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 Southern California is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Southern California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 16:1; University of Southern California 9:1.

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. USC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt or USC? 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 USC ($14,090 vs. $43,412).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt are 29.2% lower than at University of Southern California ($14,118 vs. $19,931).
• University of Southern California is 773.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (about $63,847 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $8,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 245.8% higher at USC than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (about $51,247 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $20,850.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern California than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (70% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Southern California students is 336.3% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Humboldt students ($46,897 vs. $10,748).

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. USC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Southern California (1500) is 420 points higher than at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (1080).
• Incoming USC students have a 12 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 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 Southern California 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 17/25; University of Southern California 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt - Test-free; USC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman USC students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (3.33).
• California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt has a higher acceptance rate (98.2%) than USC (9.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.9% at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. 43.3% at USC.

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

How do outcomes compare for California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt and USC? 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 Southern California's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than California State Polytechnic University Humboldt's (40%).
• Graduates from University of Southern California earn a median of about $46,500 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,500 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State Polytechnic University Humboldt graduates have a $2,875 lower median loan debt than USC graduates ($19,500 vs. $22,375).
• Among borrowers, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates have an estimated $30 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC graduates ($201 vs. $231).
• More USC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.