California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt
- Graduation Rate
- 48% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $47,626 B-
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $13,171 B-
- 23% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 98% F
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 24.8× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $24.8 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $24.8 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,253,158.
What The Data Says
-
A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
-
Every $1 invested returns $24.8 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 5,612
- Setting
- Town
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Biology & Biomedical, Social Sciences, Psychology, Business & Marketing
Why students choose California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 98% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $13,171 a year after grants and scholarships — 23% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $47,626 ten years after enrolling — 17% above the typical college, against $18,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Mobility and social-capital data are limited for this school — see what's reported below.
See mobility →Overview
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt has a remarkably high acceptance rate of 98%. This statistic reflects the university's commitment to accessibility, welcoming nearly all applicants. Students seeking an inclusive environment may find this appealing.
The school's graduation rate stands at 48%, indicating that less than half of students complete their degrees within a typical timeframe. While specific mobility data is not available, students from low-income backgrounds can access support through a 43% Pell Grant rate. This may contribute to potential upward mobility for some graduates, though the effectiveness can vary.
Prospective students should consider the financial aspects. The net price for attending is $13,171, with a median debt of $18,000 upon graduation. Graduates can expect to earn around $47,626 after ten years in the workforce. Those who thrive here often pursue programs in biology, psychology, social sciences, and the arts.
Can I Get In?
How selective California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Arcata, California, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 98%. The graduation rate is roughly 48%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 98%
- Retention Rate
- 76%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 52%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $11,900
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 15:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.65
- First-Gen Students
- 44%
- Applicants
- 8,505
- Admitted
- 8,350
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2024-25
The acceptance rate tells you how hard California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 6% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school most admitted students ultimately pass on.
- Yield Rate
- 6%
- of admits enroll
- Submitted SAT
- 12%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Submitted ACT
- 2%
- of enrolled freshmen
Test-optional, in practice. Only about 14% of enrolled freshmen submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive here, not a long shot.
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt is $20,850, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $13,171. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $8,483 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $18,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $8,250
- Out-of-State
- $20,850
- Avg Net Price
- $13,171
- Median Debt
- $18,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 43%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 34%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $8,483
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $8,812
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $11,088
- Family Income $110K+
- $22,228
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt earn a median of $47,626, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $37,382
- 8 Years
- $44,299
- 10 Years
- $47,626
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.38x
- Earning > $25K
- 49%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (300)
- 22%
- 100% (300)
- 22%
- 100% (300)
- 22%
- 100% (300)
- 22%
How California Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $13,171/year ($52,684 total). Graduates earn $47,626 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,305,842 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,253,158 (24.8× your investment). The median debt is $18,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 48% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $52,684
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,305,842
- Net Return
- $1,253,158
- ROI Multiple
- 24.8×
- Cost Per Year
- $13,171
- Median Debt
- $18,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 48%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $92,772
- Investment Income
- $-8,231,389
Top Programs
The fields California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Biology & Biomedical 11% $33,086 early-career
- Social Sciences 9% $40,366 early-career
- Psychology 9% $27,595 early-career
- Business & Marketing 7% $43,124 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 6% $29,935 early-career
- Physical Sciences 3% $40,812 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 3% $63,895 early-career
- Engineering 2% $57,348 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CPhysicist$142,850 · 5% growthAdaptable 66
- CAstronomer$142,850 · 4% growthAdaptable 66
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Arcata, California, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 98%. The graduation rate is roughly 48%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt is $20,850, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $13,171. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $8,483 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $18,000 in federal student loans.
Is California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt earn a median of $47,626, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt offer Early Decision?
No. California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt does not report a binding Early Decision plan (2024-25 Common Data Set).
Is California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt really test-optional?
In practice, yes. Only about 14% of enrolled first-year students submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (2024-25 Common Data Set).
What percentage of admitted students enroll at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt?
About 6% of admitted students choose to enroll at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt — its yield rate (2024-25 Common Data Set). Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt.
- University of Southern IndianaEvansville, IN · Close peer50% grad $47,605 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Columbus State UniversityColumbus, GA · Close peer42% grad $44,544 earn 99% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Northwestern State University of LouisianaNatchitoches, LA · Close peer44% grad $47,021 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Augusta UniversityAugusta, GA · Close peer49% grad $48,472 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Arkansas Tech UniversityRussellville, AR · Close peer49% grad $41,766 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of the CumberlandsWilliamsburg, KY · Close peer48% grad $45,036 earn 99% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate