California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. SFASU

Comparable Facts

Compare California State Polytechnic University Humboldt in Arcata, CA with Stephen F Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Stephen F Austin State University is larger than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt based on total student enrollment (10,472 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); Stephen F Austin State University is in Nacogdoches, TX (Rural Fringe setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Stephen F Austin State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 16:1; Stephen F Austin State University 16:1.

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. SFASU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt or SFASU? 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 SFASU ($14,090 vs. $14,959).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Stephen F Austin State University are 6.9% lower than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt ($13,144 vs. $14,118).
• Stephen F Austin State University is 34.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (about $2,878 more per year; $11,128.00 vs. $8,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.4% higher at SFASU than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (about $2,576 more per year; $23,426.00 vs. $20,850.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Stephen F Austin State University than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (83% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State Polytechnic University Humboldt students is 0.5% larger than aid received by Stephen F Austin State University students ($10,748 vs. $10,694).

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. SFASU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt or SFASU? 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 SFASU 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 SFASU (1070).
• Incoming California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at SFASU (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 970/1190; Stephen F Austin State University 970/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 17/25; Stephen F Austin State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt - Test-free; SFASU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at SFASU (3.26).
• California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt has a higher acceptance rate (98.2%) than SFASU (94%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.9% at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. 17.1% at SFASU.

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

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

• Stephen F Austin State University's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than California State Polytechnic University Humboldt's (40%).
• Graduates from Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of about $5,600 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State Polytechnic University Humboldt graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than SFASU graduates ($19,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SFASU graduates ($201 vs. $258).
• More California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SFASU students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 52%)

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.