California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. Northern Illinois

Comparable Facts

Compare California State Polytechnic University Humboldt in Arcata, CA with Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Illinois University is larger than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt based on total student enrollment (15,414 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); Northern Illinois University is in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 16:1; Northern Illinois University 15:1.

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. Northern Illinois Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt or Northern Illinois? 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 Northern Illinois ($14,090 vs. $14,243).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt are 0.3% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($14,118 vs. $14,160).
• Northern Illinois University is 60.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (about $4,998 more per year; $13,248.00 vs. $8,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 57.4% higher at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt than at Northern Illinois University (about $7,602 more per year; $20,850.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Illinois University than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (98% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Illinois University students is 33.9% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Humboldt students ($14,387 vs. $10,748).

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. Northern Illinois Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (1080) is 20 points higher than at Northern Illinois (1060).
• Incoming Northern Illinois 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; Northern Illinois University 940/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 17/25; Northern Illinois University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt - Test-free; Northern Illinois - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027; Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3).
• California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt has a higher acceptance rate (98.2%) than Northern Illinois (69.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.9% at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. 12.1% at Northern Illinois.

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. Northern Illinois Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Northern Illinois University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than California State Polytechnic University Humboldt's (40%).
• Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn a median of about $8,600 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State Polytechnic University Humboldt graduates have a $4,359 lower median loan debt than Northern Illinois graduates ($19,500 vs. $23,859).
• Among borrowers, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northern Illinois graduates ($201 vs. $246).
• More Northern Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 56%)

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.