California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. ETSU

Comparable Facts

Compare California State Polytechnic University Humboldt in Arcata, CA with East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

East Tennessee State University is larger than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt based on total student enrollment (13,728 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); East Tennessee State University is in Johnson City, TN (Small City setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. East Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 16:1; East Tennessee State University 15:1.

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. ETSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt or ETSU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt than ETSU ($14,090 vs. $16,286).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Tennessee State University are 25.2% lower than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt ($10,554 vs. $14,118).
• East Tennessee State University is 26.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (about $2,222 more per year; $10,472.00 vs. $8,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.6% higher at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt than at East Tennessee State University (about $6,328 more per year; $20,850.00 vs. $14,522.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at East Tennessee State University than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (87% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State Polytechnic University Humboldt students is 6.4% larger than aid received by East Tennessee State University students ($10,748 vs. $10,101).

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. ETSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt or ETSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between ETSU and California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at East Tennessee State University (1090) is 10 points higher than at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (1080).
• Incoming ETSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 970/1190; East Tennessee State University 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 17/25; East Tennessee State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt - Test-free; ETSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students have the same average high school GPA (3.33) as students at ETSU (3.33).
• California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt has a higher acceptance rate (98.2%) than ETSU (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.9% at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. 24.7% at ETSU.

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. ETSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt and ETSU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• East Tennessee State University's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than California State Polytechnic University Humboldt's (40%).
• Graduates from East Tennessee State University earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State Polytechnic University Humboldt graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than ETSU graduates ($19,500 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ETSU graduates ($201 vs. $211).
• More California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ETSU students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 50%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.