Humboldt State University vs. USC

Should I go to Humboldt State University or University of Southern California? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Humboldt State University or USC is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Humboldt State University vs. University of Southern California comparison
Humboldt State University University of Southern California College 3 College 4
Humboldt State University University of Southern California
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Overview

Humboldt State University USC
Location Arcata, CA Los Angeles, CA
Setting Remote Town Large City
Enrollment 6,025 48,945
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #831 #34
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website humboldt.edu usc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Humboldt State University USC
Tuition (In State) $5,742 $63,468
Tuition (Out of State) $17,622 $63,468
Room & Board $12,540 $17,436
Avg Net Price $14,325 $36,808
Avg Grant Aid $9,262 $45,262
% Receiving Grant Aid 66% 71%

Admission

Humboldt State University USC
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,505 69,062
Admitted 8,350 8,304
Acceptance Rate 98.2% 12%
Enrolled % 11.5% 41.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.33 3.83
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Easy Elite
Applicant Competition Very High
ACT Range 17/25 32/35
SAT Range 970/1190 1450/1550
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Apr 30, 2025

Academics

Humboldt State University USC
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Natural Resources Conservation (12%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Business (25%)
  • Social Sciences (15%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (13%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Engineering (8%)

Outcomes

Humboldt State University USC
Graduation Rate 40% 90%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,000 $85,500
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 81%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,500 $22,375
Median Loan Payment $201 $231

Diversity

Humboldt State University USC
% Men 42% 46%
% Women 58% 54%
Racial Diversity Very High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 45% 40%
% Black 3% 4%
% Hispanic 33% 14%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 6% 5%
% International 1% 13%
% Unknown Race 7% 1%

Students

Humboldt State University USC
% In-State 91% 42%
% Out-of-State 8% 40%

Campus

Humboldt State University USC
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Southern California is larger than than Humboldt State University based on total student enrollment (48,945 students vs. 6,025 students)

Humboldt State University vs. USC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Humboldt State University or USC?

  • University of Southern California is 1,005.3% more expensive to attend than Humboldt State University for in-state tuition ($63,468.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 260.2% higher at USC than Humboldt State University ($63,468.00 vs. $17,622.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Humboldt State University than USC ($14,325 vs. $36,808)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Humboldt State University are 39% lower than costs at University of Southern California ($12,540 vs. $17,436)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Southern California than Humboldt State University (71% vs. 66%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Southern California students is 388.7% larger than aid received Humboldt State University ($45,262 vs. $9,262)

Humboldt State University vs. USC Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Humboldt State University or USC? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between USC or Humboldt State University .

  • The average SAT score at University of Southern California (1391) is 401 points higher than at Humboldt State University (990)
  • Incoming USC students have a 11 point higher average ACT score (32) than students at Humboldt State University (21)
  • Accepted freshman USC students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Humboldt State University (3.33)
  • Humboldt State University has a higher acceptance rate (98.2%) than USC (12%)

Humboldt State University vs. USC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Humboldt State University or USC? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between USC and Humboldt State University.

  • The graduation rate at USC is higher than Humboldt State University (90% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from University of Southern California earn on average $46,500 more per year than Humboldt State University graduates after ten years. ($85,500 vs. $39,000)
  • Humboldt State University students graduate with a $2,875 lower median federal student loan debt than USC graduates. ($19,500 vs. $22,375)
  • Humboldt State University graduates are paying $30 less per month on federal student loans than USC graduates. ($201 vs. $231)
  • More USC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Humboldt State University 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/