California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. CSUMB

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Monterey Bay is larger than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt based on total student enrollment (7,713 students vs. 6,237 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is located in Arcata, CA (Remote Town setting); California State University Monterey Bay is in Seaside, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Monterey Bay is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 16:1; California State University Monterey Bay 24:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt are 18.1% lower than at California State University Monterey Bay ($14,118 vs. $17,234).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.3% higher at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt than at California State University Monterey Bay (about $471 more per year; $20,850 vs. $20,379).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Monterey Bay than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (71% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Monterey Bay students is 13.4% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Humboldt students ($12,185 vs. $10,748).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt than at CSUMB (21 vs. 20, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt and CSUMB.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027; CSUMB Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at CSUMB average a 3.45 high school GPA, 0.12 higher than at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (3.33).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.9% at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. 9.8% at CSUMB.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Monterey Bay graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates ($14,000 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, CSUMB graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates ($144 vs. $201).
• More CSUMB 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.