California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. La Sierra University

Comparable Facts

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

California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is larger than La Sierra University based on total student enrollment (6,237 students vs. 1,574 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is located in Arcata, CA (Remote Town setting); La Sierra University is in Riverside, CA (Large City setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. La Sierra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 16:1; La Sierra University 12:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at La Sierra University are 4.9% lower than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt ($13,431 vs. $14,118).
• Out-of-state tuition is 80.9% higher at La Sierra University than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (about $16,860 more per year; $37,710 vs. $20,850).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at La Sierra University than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (98% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by La Sierra University students is 157.2% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Humboldt students ($27,646 vs. $10,748).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at La Sierra University than at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (23 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt and La Sierra University.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at La Sierra University average a 3.54 high school GPA, 0.21 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. 13.3% at La Sierra University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State Polytechnic University Humboldt graduates have a $10,500 lower median loan debt than La Sierra University graduates ($19,500 vs. $30,000).
• Among borrowers, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates have an estimated $109 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than La Sierra University graduates ($201 vs. $310).
• More California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former La Sierra University students, three years after graduation (56% vs. 52%).

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