California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt is a public 4-year college in Arcata, California with 5,612 undergraduates. It admits 98% of applicants, costs an average of $13,751 a year after grants and graduates 44% of its students.
Figures from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, released October 15, 2026. What each number covers.
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt acceptance rate and admissions
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt admitted 98% of applicants for fall 2024. The median acceptance rate at 4-year colleges is 77%.
Test scores: Neither required nor recommended (as reported for fall 2024 admission). That means you can apply without SAT or ACT scores. Check the admissions office for the current policy.
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt tuition, cost and net price
| Tuition and fees, in-state (2025-26) | $8,824 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, out-of-state (2025-26) | $22,144 |
| On-campus housing and food (2025-26) | $14,306 |
| Total cost of attendance (2024-25) | $27,011 |
| Average net price after grants (2024-25) | $13,751 |
Students who get federal aid pay an average of $13,751 a year after grants and scholarships, $13,260 less than the full cost of attendance. This figure covers in-state students.
What families pay, by income
Average yearly cost after grants for aided first-time students paying in-state tuition, by family income (2024-25):
Your own price depends on your family's full situation. Run California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt's net price calculator for a personal estimate, or make a "what it costs us" card.
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduation rate, earnings and debt
- 44% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years (students who started in 2019).
- Former students earned a median of $54,882 a year, 10 years after they started (students who received federal aid and were working).
- Students who completed left with a median of $17,297 in federal student loans.
Earnings compared
Debt compared
Median debt is 32% of median earnings 10 years after entry. Many advisers suggest keeping total student debt below one year of expected pay. See the monthly payment.
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt majors and what graduates earn
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt awarded bachelor's degrees in 46 fields recently. The best-paid graduates four years out came from forestry ($79,849).
All 46 majors at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt
| Major | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forestry | 51 | $45,692 | $79,849 | $19,122 |
| Environmental engineering | 20 | $63,749 | $78,225 | $24,129 |
| Computer science | 39 | $50,635 | $74,620 | $20,389 |
| Economics | 9 | n/a | $61,175 | n/a |
| Business administration | 78 | $42,898 | $60,005 | $17,650 |
| Social work | 39 | $43,207 | $57,953 | $12,843 |
| Biology | 96 | $38,739 | $55,707 | $19,500 |
| Kinesiology and exercise science | 51 | $31,219 | $55,222 | $15,000 |
| Criminology | 27 | $36,420 | $55,174 | $15,500 |
| Geology and earth sciences | 27 | $40,723 | $53,371 | $22,500 |
| Environmental science | 116 | $31,332 | $50,915 | $15,593 |
| Chemistry | 12 | $46,755 | $50,579 | n/a |
| Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management | 16 | n/a | $50,525 | n/a |
| Interdisciplinary studies, other | 58 | $58,068 | $49,706 | $19,697 |
| Sociology | 25 | $34,612 | $48,143 | n/a |
| Wildlife management | 88 | $31,970 | $47,003 | $15,000 |
| Film and photography | 16 | $17,326 | $46,245 | $20,969 |
| Psychology | 130 | $34,234 | $45,889 | $15,000 |
| English | 46 | $27,744 | $43,310 | $12,713 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | 21 | n/a | $43,064 | $18,664 |
| Botany/Plant Biology | 24 | $33,531 | $42,743 | n/a |
| History | 19 | n/a | $42,119 | n/a |
| Liberal arts and general studies | 38 | $39,112 | $42,049 | $18,318 |
| Political science | 17 | $39,244 | $41,994 | n/a |
| Anthropology | 28 | $30,842 | $41,464 | n/a |
| Parks and recreation | 7 | $22,362 | $40,566 | n/a |
| Journalism | 23 | $29,210 | $39,178 | $15,179 |
| Zoology/Animal Biology | 33 | $29,301 | $38,495 | $13,487 |
| Fine and studio arts | 63 | $24,179 | $34,812 | $15,000 |
| Human development and family studies | 28 | n/a | n/a | $15,723 |
| Geography | 18 | $39,506 | n/a | n/a |
| Communication | 16 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Nursing | 16 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Plant and soil science | 12 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| International/Globalization Studies | 10 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Theater | 9 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Mathematics | 8 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Romance languages | 7 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Music | 6 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Physical Sciences, General | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Physics | 4 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Philosophy | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Ecology and evolutionary biology | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Data science | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Religious studies | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Four-year earnings: graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. Fields with few graduates have no published earnings.
Graduate programs at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt
12 graduate programs awarded degrees recently. Largest first.
Show 12 graduate programs
| Program | Degree | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social work | Master's | 57 | $67,848 | $35,464 |
| Environmental science | Master's | 33 | $61,167 | n/a |
| Psychology | Master's | 30 | $56,379 | $39,740 |
| Biology | Master's | 23 | n/a | n/a |
| Business administration | Master's | 21 | $60,485 | $20,500 |
| Kinesiology and exercise science | Master's | 16 | n/a | n/a |
| Education | Master's | 6 | n/a | n/a |
| English | Master's | 6 | n/a | n/a |
| Sociology | Master's | 5 | n/a | n/a |
| Engineering, general | Master's | 3 | n/a | n/a |
| Social Sciences, General | Master's | 3 | n/a | n/a |
| Anthropology | Master's | 1 | n/a | n/a |
Students and location
- 5,612 degree-seeking undergraduates (fall 2024)
- 54% women, 46% men
- 16 students for every faculty member
- Setting: remote town
- Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
Frequently asked questions
What is the acceptance rate at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt?
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt admitted 98% of applicants for fall 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
How much does California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt cost?
Tuition and fees for 2025-26 are $8,824 for in-state students and $22,144 for out-of-state students. After grants and scholarships, aided students paid an average net price of $13,751 a year in 2024-25.
Is California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt test-optional?
For fall 2024 admission, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt reported that test scores were: neither required nor recommended. Policies change, so confirm with the admissions office.
What is the graduation rate at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt?
44% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years.
How much do California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates make?
Former students who received federal aid earned a median of $54,882 a year 10 years after they started, in 2024 dollars.
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More: all colleges in California · California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt on the College Scorecard
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, data release of October 15, 2026. What each figure means and the year it covers.