UCSD vs. California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California San Diego in La Jolla, 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 San Diego is larger than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt based on total student enrollment (44,256 students vs. 6,237 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California San Diego is located in La Jolla, CA (Large City setting); California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is in Arcata, CA (Remote Town setting).
• University of California San Diego 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 San Diego 19:1; California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 16:1.

UCSD vs. California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSD 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 University of California San Diego than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt ($14,047 vs. $14,090).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt are 25.6% lower than at University of California San Diego ($14,118 vs. $18,970).
• University of California San Diego is 103.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (about $8,508 more per year; $16,758.00 vs. $8,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 144.4% higher at UCSD than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (about $30,108 more per year; $50,958.00 vs. $20,850.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt than at University of California San Diego (66% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California San Diego students is 139.6% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Humboldt students ($25,757 vs. $10,748).

UCSD vs. California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSD 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 UCSD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California San Diego (1380) is 300 points higher than at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (1080).
• Incoming UCSD students have a 10 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 21 at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 1270/1480; California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 970/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 28/34; California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSD - Test-free; California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSD Nov 30, 2026; California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCSD students have a 0.49 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (3.33).
• California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt has a higher acceptance rate (98.2%) than UCSD (26.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at UCSD vs. 5.9% at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt.

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

How do outcomes compare for UCSD 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 San Diego's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than California State Polytechnic University Humboldt's (40%).
• Graduates from University of California San Diego earn a median of about $28,900 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates about ten years after starting college ($67,900 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California San Diego graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates ($18,500 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, UCSD graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates ($191 vs. $201).
• More UCSD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.