California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. Nicholls State University

Comparable Facts

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

California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is larger than Nicholls State University based on total student enrollment (6,237 students vs. 6,043 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is located in Arcata, CA (Remote Town setting); Nicholls State University is in Thibodaux, LA (Small City setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Nicholls State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 16:1; Nicholls State University 19:1.

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. Nicholls State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt or Nicholls State University? 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 Nicholls State University than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt ($12,298 vs. $14,090).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Nicholls State University are 19.2% lower than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt ($11,412 vs. $14,118).
• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is 1.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Nicholls State University (about $101 more per year; $8,250.00 vs. $8,149.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 125.6% higher at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt than at Nicholls State University (about $11,608 more per year; $20,850.00 vs. $9,242.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Nicholls State University than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (89% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State Polytechnic University Humboldt students is 3.4% larger than aid received by Nicholls State University students ($10,748 vs. $10,392).

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. Nicholls State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt or Nicholls State University? 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 Nicholls State University and California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (1080) is 10 points higher than at Nicholls State University (1070).
• Incoming California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at Nicholls State University (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 970/1190; Nicholls State University 934/1196.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 17/25; Nicholls State University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt - Test-free; Nicholls State University - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Nicholls State University students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.34) than students at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (3.33).
• California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt has a higher acceptance rate (98.2%) than Nicholls State University (90.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.9% at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. 35.4% at Nicholls State University.

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

How do outcomes compare for California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt and Nicholls State University? 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).

• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than Nicholls State University's (38%).
• Graduates from Nicholls State University earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State Polytechnic University Humboldt graduates have a $348 lower median loan debt than Nicholls State University graduates ($19,500 vs. $19,848).
• Among borrowers, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nicholls State University graduates ($201 vs. $205).
• More California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Nicholls State University students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 51%)

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.