California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. CSU Channel Islands

Comparable Facts

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

California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is larger than CSU Channel Islands based on total student enrollment (6,237 students vs. 5,592 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is located in Arcata, CA (Remote Town setting); California State University Channel Islands is in Camarillo, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Channel Islands is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 16:1; California State University Channel Islands 16:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt are 8.9% lower than at California State University Channel Islands ($14,118 vs. $15,490).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.5% higher at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt than at California State University Channel Islands (about $1,091 more per year; $20,850 vs. $19,759).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Channel Islands than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (79% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Channel Islands students is 16.6% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Humboldt students ($12,528 vs. $10,748).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt and CSU Channel Islands.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027; CSU Channel Islands Jul 30, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt average a 3.33 high school GPA, 0.11 higher than at CSU Channel Islands (3.22).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.9% at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. 6.2% at CSU Channel Islands.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Channel Islands graduates have a $4,317 lower median loan debt than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates ($15,183 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, CSU Channel Islands graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates ($156 vs. $201).
• More CSU Channel Islands graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students, three years after graduation (66% vs. 56%).

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