California State University-Northridge vs. California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Northridge in Northridge, CA with California State Polytechnic University Humboldt in Arcata, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

California State University Northridge is larger than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt based on total student enrollment (38,313 students vs. 6,237 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Northridge is located in Northridge, CA (Large City setting); California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is in Arcata, CA (Remote Town setting).
• California State University Northridge is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Northridge 25:1; California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 16:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Northridge are 2.2% lower than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt ($13,804 vs. $14,118).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.9% higher at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt than at California State University Northridge (about $792 more per year; $20,850 vs. $20,058).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Northridge than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (83% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Northridge students is 19.3% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Humboldt students ($12,825 vs. $10,748).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt than at California State University-Northridge (21 vs. 19, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both California State University-Northridge and California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-Northridge Nov 30, 2026; California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at California State University-Northridge average a 3.38 high school GPA, 0.05 higher than at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (3.33).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18% at California State University-Northridge vs. 5.9% at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Northridge graduates have a $5,304 lower median loan debt than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates ($14,196 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, California State University-Northridge graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates ($146 vs. $201).
• More California State University-Northridge graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students, three years after graduation (59% vs. 56%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.