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California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

Cal Poly Humboldt

Arcata, California 95521-8299

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

College townGreek life

Excellent value

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt is a public institution in Arcata with particular strength in psychology and biology.

A mid-sized campus of 5.5K undergraduates with a 14:1 student-faculty ratio. The town location creates a classic college-town feel.

47% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $47,626 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $13,167.

Established
1913
Motto
Φως Αλήθεια
Mascot
Lucky Logger
Type
Public polytechnic university
Division
Division II

Plan Your Visit

99%Acceptance
SAT Avg
5,491Students
14:1Student:Faculty
47%Grad Rate
$47,626Earnings 10yr
$13,167Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate98.8%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$7,913
Tuition (out-of-state)$19,793
Room & Board$13,166
Books & Supplies$836
Total Cost of Attendance$24,412
Average Net Price$13,167
Median Debt at Graduation$18,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$191

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$8,090
$30–48K$9,623
$48–75K$13,095
$75–110K$17,692
$110K+$22,695

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

63.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

1.3%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$14,500

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

34

Peer Average

37

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

7

Burglary

1

Aggravated Assault

1

Robbery

2

Motor Vehicle Theft

4

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

11

Drug Arrests

8

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (70)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

76%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
5,491
Gender Split
55% / 45%
Women / Men
First Generation
44%
Pell Grant Recipients
46%

Race & Ethnicity

White 51%
Black 3%
Hispanic 30%
Asian 3%
Two+ 7%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate46.6%
Freshman Retention75.6%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$37,382
10 Years$47,626

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#32
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#59
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports

VolleyballCrew

History & Fun Facts

  • History Founders Hall Humboldt State Normal School was established as a teacher's college on June 16, 1913, by California governor Hiram Johnson.
  • It was one of about 180 institutions founded by state governments to train teachers for the rapidly growing public schools.
  • It opened on April 6, 1914, before construction at the location was complete, in the former Arcata Grammar School building, with 78 students enrolled and 5 faculty members teaching.
  • In 1924, during the presidency of Ralph Waldo Swetman, the Associated Students and the Alumni Association were organized and The Foghorn, the first student newspaper, was published.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

142Very High

Estimated from CA state average

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 30"Sunny days: 250Rainy days: 75

Nearest Cities

San Franciscopop. 870K
232 mi(402 min)
Portlandpop. 650K
328 mi(569 min)
Seattlepop. 740K
473 mi(820 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

SMF Sacramento200 mi
SFO San Francisco243 mi
SJC San Jose269 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA2695 mi · ~77h 51m drive
New York, NY2582 mi · ~74h 35m drive
Hartford, CT2627 mi · ~75h 53m drive
Providence, RI2688 mi · ~77h 39m drive
Albany, NY2558 mi · ~73h 54m drive
Syracuse, NY2433 mi · ~70h 17m drive
Rochester, NY2360 mi · ~68h 11m drive
Buffalo, NY2301 mi · ~66h 28m drive
Philadelphia, PA2540 mi · ~73h 23m drive
Pittsburgh, PA2286 mi · ~66h 2m drive
Harrisburg, PA2446 mi · ~70h 40m drive
Newark, NJ2573 mi · ~74h 20m drive
Washington, DC2467 mi · ~71h 16m drive
Baltimore, MD2481 mi · ~71h 40m drive
Atlanta, GA2216 mi · ~64h 1m drive
Charlotte, NC2360 mi · ~68h 11m drive
Raleigh, NC2460 mi · ~71h 4m drive
Miami, FL2707 mi · ~78h 12m drive
Orlando, FL2542 mi · ~73h 26m drive
Tampa, FL2507 mi · ~72h 25m drive
Nashville, TN2027 mi · ~58h 33m drive
New Orleans, LA2043 mi · ~59h 1m drive
Richmond, VA2478 mi · ~71h 35m drive
Chicago, IL1877 mi · ~54h 13m drive
Detroit, MI2102 mi · ~60h 43m drive
Minneapolis, MN1575 mi · ~45h 30m drive
St. Louis, MO1795 mi · ~51h 51m drive
Kansas City, MO1559 mi · ~45h 2m drive
Indianapolis, IN1983 mi · ~57h 17m drive
Columbus, OH2142 mi · ~61h 53m drive
Cleveland, OH2182 mi · ~63h 2m drive
Milwaukee, WI1850 mi · ~53h 27m drive
Dallas, TX1601 mi · ~46h 15m drive
Houston, TX1781 mi · ~51h 27m drive
Austin, TX1643 mi · ~47h 28m drive
San Antonio, TX1639 mi · ~47h 21m drive
Los Angeles, CA570 mi · ~16h 28m drive
San Francisco, CA232 mi · ~6h 42m drive
San Diego, CA681 mi · ~19h 40m drive
Seattle, WA473 mi · ~13h 40m drive
Portland, OR328 mi · ~9h 29m drive
Denver, CO1007 mi · ~29h 5m drive
Phoenix, AZ836 mi · ~24h 9m drive
Salt Lake City, UT637 mi · ~18h 24m drive
Honolulu, HI2389 mi · ~69h 1m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

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