California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. SIUE

Comparable Facts

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

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is larger than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt based on total student enrollment (11,893 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); Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is in Edwardsville, IL (Large Suburban setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 16:1; Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 15:1.

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. SIUE Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt or SIUE? 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 SIUE ($14,090 vs. $17,115).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt are 2.6% lower than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ($14,118 vs. $14,490).
• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is 56.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (about $4,672 more per year; $12,922.00 vs. $8,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 61.4% higher at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (about $7,928 more per year; $20,850.00 vs. $12,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (91% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students is 7.9% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Humboldt students ($11,602 vs. $10,748).

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. SIUE Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (1080) is 10 points higher than at SIUE (1070).
• Incoming SIUE students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 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; Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 950/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 17/25; Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt - Test-free; SIUE - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027; SIUE May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SIUE students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (3.33).
• California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt has a higher acceptance rate (98.2%) than SIUE (97.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.9% at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. 15.7% at SIUE.

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. SIUE Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than California State Polytechnic University Humboldt's (40%).
• Graduates from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,000 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State Polytechnic University Humboldt graduates have a $1,930 lower median loan debt than SIUE graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,430).
• Among borrowers, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SIUE graduates ($201 vs. $221).
• More SIUE 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.