UC Berkeley vs. California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Berkeley is larger than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt based on total student enrollment (45,882 students vs. 6,237 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Berkeley is located in Berkeley, CA (Midsize City setting); California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is in Arcata, CA (Remote Town setting).
• University of California Berkeley is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Berkeley 18:1; California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 16:1.

UC Berkeley vs. California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Berkeley or California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt? 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 UC Berkeley ($14,090 vs. $16,538).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt are 40.6% lower than at University of California Berkeley ($14,118 vs. $23,750).
• University of California Berkeley is 98.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (about $8,097 more per year; $16,347.00 vs. $8,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 142.4% higher at UC Berkeley than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (about $29,697 more per year; $50,547.00 vs. $20,850.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt than at University of California Berkeley (66% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Berkeley students is 175.5% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Humboldt students ($29,608 vs. $10,748).

UC Berkeley vs. California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Berkeley (1420) is 340 points higher than at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (1080).
• Incoming UC Berkeley students have a 11 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 21 at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 1310/1530; California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 970/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 30/35; California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Berkeley - Test-free; California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Berkeley Nov 30, 2026; California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC Berkeley students have a 0.54 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (3.33).
• California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt has a higher acceptance rate (98.2%) than UC Berkeley (11%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46% at UC Berkeley vs. 5.9% at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt.

UC Berkeley vs. California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Berkeley and California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt? 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 California Berkeley's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than California State Polytechnic University Humboldt's (40%).
• Graduates from University of California Berkeley earn a median of about $35,700 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,700 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Berkeley graduates have a $5,300 lower median loan debt than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates ($14,200 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, UC Berkeley graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates ($146 vs. $201).
• More UC Berkeley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.