California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt is a public research university in Arcata, California, serving roughly 5,612 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 98.20% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $47,626 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $8,250
- 2024 Average Net Price: $13,171 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 98.20% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 5,612 87.7% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 48.55%
- Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs
- First-Generation Students: 44.1%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 0.6% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 5.6% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 51.8%
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 6,104
- Applicants (IPEDS): 14,019
- Room & Board: $14,118 annual estimate
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt: what the data shows
Common questions about California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt?
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt is located in Arcata, CA (ZIP 95521-8299).
NCES locale classification: Town remote.
Is California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt public or private?
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt is a Public institution.
How much does California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt cost?
Published tuition: $8,250 in-state, $20,850 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $13,171.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $8,483 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $8,812 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $11,088 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $15,593 |
| $110,001+ | $22,228 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $33,000.
How hard is it to get into California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt?
Admission rate: 98.20%.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt?
Total enrollment: 5,612 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 6,104 students.
Graduate enrollment: 576 students.
About 88% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt?
150%-time completion rate: 48.55%.
First-year retention: 76.0%.
What do graduates of California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt earn?
Median earnings: $37,382 six years after entry; $47,626 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $18,000.
42.87% of students receive Pell grants.
What is California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Psychology, General (160 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (119 completions)
- Business Administration and Management, General (99 completions)
- Social Work (96 completions)
- Environmental Science (93 completions)
- Wildlife, Fish and Wildlands Science and Management (88 completions)
- Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General (67 completions)
- Art/Art Studies, General (63 completions)
- Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (58 completions)
- English Language and Literature, General (52 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 98.20%; completion rate 48.55%; median earnings $47,626 at 10 years; net price $13,171. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$8,250
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt was $8,250.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$13,171
2024 Value
In 2024 California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $13,171.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$52,684 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$13,171 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$33,000 4-Year In-State Tuition
$83,400 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$14,118 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$870 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$23,238 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$92,952 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt.
Financial Aid by Income Level
42.87% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
33.80% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $7,144 | $18,304 | $14,715 |
| 2014 | $7,171 | $18,331 | $13,434 |
| 2015 | $7,195 | $18,364 | $13,148 |
| 2016 | $7,209 | $18,369 | $13,515 |
| 2017 | $7,493 | $19,373 | $14,490 |
| 2018 | $7,675 | $19,555 | $14,897 |
| 2019 | $7,864 | $19,744 | $14,692 |
| 2020 | $7,858 | $19,738 | $14,956 |
| 2021 | $7,864 | $19,744 | $13,335 |
| 2022 | $7,864 | $19,744 | $13,952 |
| 2023 | $7,913 | $19,793 | $13,167 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
98.20% Acceptance Rate
14,019 Total Applicants
13,855 Students Admitted
955 First-Time Students Enrolled
6.89% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
Test score data is not available for this institution.
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt reported total enrollment of about 5,612 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 46% male and 54% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (51.6%), Hispanic or Latino (28.6%), and Two or More Races (7.5%). About 42.87% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 44.1% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
87.7% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt in 2024 is 5,612 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 6,104 students. Graduate enrollment is about 576 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
76.0%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 51.6%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
25.72% 100% Completion Time
48.55% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 25.72% of students graduating from California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Psychology, General: 28% male / 72% female
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 35% male / 65% female
- Business Administration and Management, General: 59% male / 41% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt.
Return on Investment
$18,000 Median Student Debt
$47,626 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
37.79% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
803.99% Return on Investment
3.8 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 56 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Psychology, General: 160 completions
2. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 119 completions
3. Business Administration and Management, General: 99 completions
4. Social Work: 96 completions
5. Environmental Science: 93 completions
6. Wildlife, Fish and Wildlands Science and Management: 88 completions
7. Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General: 67 completions
8. Art/Art Studies, General: 63 completions
9. Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other: 58 completions
Most popular programs at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 51.8%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $11,900
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $18,064
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt is a public institution located in Arcata, CA, classified as Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Psychology, General, Biology/Biological Sciences, General, Business Administration and Management, General. Enrollment is approximately 5,612 students. Student body composition includes White (51.6%), Hispanic or Latino (28.6%), Two or More Races (7.5%). The admission rate is 98.20%. The 150%-time completion rate is 48.55%. Approximately 42.87% of students receive Pell Grants. About 44.1% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs
Location
Arcata, CA 95521-8299
Region: Far West
Insights and Analysis
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 56 distinct degree programs, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt located?
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt is located in Arcata, CA.
What is California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt is 98.2% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 14,019 applicants and 13,855 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt cost?
Reported tuition is $8,250 and average net price is $13,171 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $14,118 annually.
What is the student body demographics at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt?
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt reports undergraduate enrollment of about 6,104 students, White (51.6%), Hispanic or Latino (28.6%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt?
About 44.1% of students at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt are first-generation college students.
What do graduates of California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt earn?
Median earnings are $37,382 six years after entry and $47,626 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt?
The 150%-time completion rate is 48.5% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $18,000.
Is California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt public or private?
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt is a public institution located in Arcata, CA.
Is California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt an HBCU?
No. California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt a tribal college?
No. California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Is California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI)?
By the common federal eligibility proxy used here (≥25% Hispanic enrollment in College Scorecard), yes—California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt reports 28.6% Hispanic enrollment share.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- California college costs
- California colleges by ROI
- Far West regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in California
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.