California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. San Francisco State

Comparable Facts

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

San Francisco State University is larger than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt based on total student enrollment (22,563 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); San Francisco State University is in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. San Francisco State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 16:1; San Francisco State University 19:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt are 36.6% lower than at San Francisco State University ($14,118 vs. $22,266).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.5% higher at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt than at San Francisco State University (about $300 more per year; $20,850 vs. $20,550).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Francisco State University than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (77% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Francisco State University students is 20.9% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Humboldt students ($12,996 vs. $10,748).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt than at San Francisco State (21 vs. 19, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt and San Francisco State.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027; San Francisco State Nov 30, 2026.
• Enrolled first-year students at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt average a 3.33 high school GPA, 0.02 higher than at San Francisco State (3.31).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.9% at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. 8.6% at San Francisco State.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Francisco State University graduates have a $2,250 lower median loan debt than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates ($17,250 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, San Francisco State graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates ($178 vs. $201).
• More San Francisco State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students, three years after graduation (63% vs. 56%).

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