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California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

Arcata, CA · Town · 5,612 students
WebsiteScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$13,171
Average net priceYour net price
In-state · 2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
48%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
54% typical
$47,626
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$55,177 typical
98%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
82% typical · not scored
Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
About

California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, situated between ancient coastal redwood forests and the Pacific Ocean in Arcata, is renowned for its immersive polytechnic approach centered on environmental sustainability and social responsibility. The university boasts nationally recognized programs in forestry, wildlife biology, oceanography, botany, and environmental science, offering exceptional field-based learning opportunities. Campus culture is distinctly progressive, eco-conscious, and outdoorsy, attracting students who thrive in close-knit communities and value access to unique living laboratories, including a university-managed redwood forest and a dedicated marine research vessel.

Location
Arcata, CA, 95521-8299 · Town campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
SMF · Sacramento
200 mi away
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
These figures are federal data and may be out of date.
In-stateOut-of-state
Tuition & fees$8,250$20,850
Housing & food (on campus)$14,118$14,118
Books & supplies$870$870
Cost of attendance$29,894$37,770 est.
Average net price$13,171Not published
Out-of-state prices
Tuition & fees$20,850
In-state: $8,250
Housing & food (on campus)$14,118
Books & supplies$870
Cost of attendance$37,770 est.
In-state: $29,894
Average net priceNot published
In-state: $13,171
est. = the in-state cost of attendance with out-of-state tuition swapped in; no out-of-state figure is published.
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.humboldt.edu
How it’s made up · in-state, 2026-27
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$6,838
Fees$2,452
Housing$8,042
Food$6,714
Books & supplies$890
Personal expenses$2,966
Transportation$1,948
Total published by the school$29,894
Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24
$0–30k
$8,483
$30–48k
$8,812
$48–75k
$11,088
$75–110k
$15,593
$110k+
$22,228
Merit aid · 2024-25
Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.
Average award$1,747
First-years who got one261
Source: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
48%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
26%
Back for yr 2
76%
Transferred
7%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
49% graduated · 36% transferred · 1% still enrolled · 14% left or unknown
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$37,382
10 yrs after entry$47,626
Debt
Median at graduation$18,000
Monthly payment$191
Middle 50% owe$5.5k–$24.3k
90th percentile$31,000
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
98%
Test policy
Not required
Per College Scorecard

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Essay prompts
How much essays count at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt: Not considered (one of four levels: very important · important · considered · not considered)
Source: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt's Common Data Set for 2024-25 — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).

If California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the school's application.

Student Body
Gender
Men 46%Women 54%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
16 : 1
Pell grant
43%
First-gen
44%
Family income
$26,596
Independent
26%
Veterans
1%
Age at entry
22.0
Part-time
12%
Race & ethnicity
White
52%
Hispanic
29%
Black
3%
Asian
3%
Two or more
7%
AI/AN
1%
Unknown
5%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division II without football · EADA 2024-25
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Cross Country
    Men's · Women's
  • Other Sports
    Women's
  • Rowing
    Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Track and Field (Outdoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
  • Wrestling
    Men's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$37,382
After 10 yrs
$47,626
Psychology, General153
Natural Resources Conservation and Research120
Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management98
Business Administration, Management and Operations91
Biology, General85
Social Work66
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness58
Fine and Studio Arts50
Forestry44
Computer Science42
English Language and Literature, General40
Zoology/Animal Biology38
Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering36
Communication and Media Studies33
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other32
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities29
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$40M
Full-time faculty
52%
Faculty salary
$11,900/mo
Teaching spend
$18,064
per student
Federal loans
34%
Classification
Carnegie type
Master's (larger programs)
Research activity
Research college or university
$27M research spending
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, inclusive admissions

Wondering if California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

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Financial aid & net cost estimates
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Scholarship search