California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. San Jose State

Comparable Facts

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

San Jose State University is larger than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt based on total student enrollment (37,661 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 Jose State University is in San Jose, CA (Large City setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. San Jose State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 16:1; San Jose State University 25:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt are 32.7% lower than at San Jose State University ($14,118 vs. $20,971).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.8% higher at San Jose State than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (about $160 more per year; $21,010 vs. $20,850).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt than at San Jose State University (66% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Jose State University students is 14.9% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Humboldt students ($12,353 vs. $10,748).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at San Jose State than at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (22 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt and San Jose State.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027; San Jose State Dec 15, 2026.
• Enrolled first-year students at San Jose State average a 3.35 high school GPA, 0.02 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. 14.7% at San Jose State.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Jose State University graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates ($15,000 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, San Jose State graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates ($155 vs. $201).
• More San Jose State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students, three years after graduation (73% vs. 56%).

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