California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. SCI-Arc

Comparable Facts

Compare California State Polytechnic University Humboldt in Arcata, CA with Southern California Institute of Architecture in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is larger than SCI-Arc based on total student enrollment (6,237 students vs. 418 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is located in Arcata, CA (Remote Town setting); Southern California Institute of Architecture is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern California Institute of Architecture is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 16:1; Southern California Institute of Architecture 9:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern California Institute of Architecture are 3.7% lower than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt ($13,600 vs. $14,118).
• Out-of-state tuition is 169.4% higher at SCI-Arc than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (about $35,312 more per year; $56,162 vs. $20,850).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt than at Southern California Institute of Architecture (66% vs. 26%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern California Institute of Architecture students is 296.6% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Humboldt students ($42,627 vs. $10,748).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt, test optional at SCI-Arc.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027; SCI-Arc Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at SCI-Arc average a 3.5 high school GPA, 0.17 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. 7% at SCI-Arc.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State Polytechnic University Humboldt graduates have a $23,250 lower median loan debt than SCI-Arc graduates ($19,500 vs. $42,750).
• Among borrowers, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates have an estimated $241 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCI-Arc graduates ($201 vs. $442).
• More SCI-Arc graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students, three years after graduation (62% vs. 56%).

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