California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. Portland State University

Comparable Facts

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

Portland State University is larger than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt based on total student enrollment (19,951 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); Portland State University is in Portland, OR (Large City setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Portland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 16:1; Portland State University 17:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Portland State University are 2.8% lower than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt ($13,728 vs. $14,118).
• Out-of-state tuition is 49% higher at Portland State University than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (about $10,224 more per year; $31,074 vs. $20,850).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Portland 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 1.1% larger than aid received by Portland State University students ($10,748 vs. $10,629).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt than at Portland State University (21 vs. 20, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt, test optional at Portland State University.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Portland State University average a 3.36 high school GPA, 0.03 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. 18.2% at Portland State University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State Polytechnic University Humboldt graduates have a $3,134 lower median loan debt than Portland State University graduates ($19,500 vs. $22,634).
• Among borrowers, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Portland State University graduates ($201 vs. $234).
• More California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Portland State University students, three years after graduation (56% vs. 55%).

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