California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. University of Northern Colorado

California State Polytechnic University Humboldt and University of Northern Colorado side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

California State Polytechnic University Humboldt
University of Northern Colorado

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: University of Northern Colorado (85.9% admitted vs 98.2%). Typical SAT 1070 vs 1080.
  • Cheaper after aid: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt. Average net price is $14,090 vs $19,376 at University of Northern Colorado.
  • Graduation: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 40% vs University of Northern Colorado 46%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt $39,000 vs University of Northern Colorado $44,600 (median).
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Key differences

California State Polytechnic University Humboldt University of Northern Colorado
Acceptance rate
University of Northern Colorado more selective
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt98.2%
University of Northern Colorado85.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt higher
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt970-1190
University of Northern Colorado950-1190
Average net price
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt $5,286 less
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt$14,090
University of Northern Colorado$19,376
In-state tuition
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt $4,166 less
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt$8,250
University of Northern Colorado$12,416
Out-of-state tuition
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt $6,416 less
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt$20,850
University of Northern Colorado$27,266
Graduation rate
University of Northern Colorado +6 pts
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt40%
University of Northern Colorado46%
Median earnings (10 years)
University of Northern Colorado +$5,600
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt$39,000
University of Northern Colorado$44,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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Check my chances at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Check my chances at University of Northern Colorado
  • Admission chances
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt My Chances
  • University of Northern Colorado My Chances
  • Applied
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 15,725
  • University of Northern Colorado 11,127
  • Admitted
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 15,442
  • University of Northern Colorado 9,553
  • Acceptance rate
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 98.2%
  • University of Northern Colorado 85.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 5.9%
  • University of Northern Colorado 13%
  • Typical SAT score
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 1080
  • University of Northern Colorado 1070
  • Typical ACT score
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 21
  • University of Northern Colorado 23
  • Average high school GPA
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 3.33
  • University of Northern Colorado 3.53
  • Typical high school grades
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt B+
  • University of Northern Colorado A-
  • Admissions standards
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Easy
  • University of Northern Colorado Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt
  • University of Northern Colorado
  • SAT range
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 970-1190
  • University of Northern Colorado 950-1190
  • ACT range
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 17-25
  • University of Northern Colorado 21-26
  • Submit test scores
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Test-free
  • University of Northern Colorado Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027
  • University of Northern Colorado Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt $8,250
  • University of Northern Colorado $12,416
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt $20,850
  • University of Northern Colorado $27,266
  • Room & board
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt $14,118
  • University of Northern Colorado $16,154
  • Average net price
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt $14,090
  • University of Northern Colorado $19,376
  • Average grant aid
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt $10,748
  • University of Northern Colorado $9,992
  • % receiving grant aid
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 66%
  • University of Northern Colorado 95%
  • Graduation rate
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 40%
  • University of Northern Colorado 46%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt $39,000
  • University of Northern Colorado $44,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 56%
  • University of Northern Colorado 62%
  • Median student loan debt
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt $19,500
  • University of Northern Colorado $21,970
  • Median loan payment
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt $201
  • University of Northern Colorado $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 16:1
  • University of Northern Colorado 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt
    • Natural Resources Conservation (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • University of Northern Colorado
    • General Studies (14%)
    • Health Professions (14%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Communication (8%)
  • Location
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Arcata, CA
  • University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO
  • Setting
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Remote Town
  • University of Northern Colorado Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 6,237
  • University of Northern Colorado 8,869
  • Type
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Public 4 Year
  • University of Northern Colorado Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt #787
  • University of Northern Colorado #680

Comparable Facts

Compare California State Polytechnic University Humboldt in Arcata, CA with University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of Northern Colorado is larger than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt based on total student enrollment (8,869 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); University of Northern Colorado is in Greeley, CO (Small City setting).
  • California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Northern Colorado is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 16:1; University of Northern Colorado 14:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt are 12.6% lower than at University of Northern Colorado ($14,118 vs. $16,154).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 30.8% higher at University of Northern Colorado than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (about $6,416 more per year; $27,266 vs. $20,850).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Northern Colorado than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (95% vs. 66%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California State Polytechnic University Humboldt students is 7.6% larger than aid received by University of Northern Colorado students ($10,748 vs. $9,992).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at University of Northern Colorado than at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (23 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt, test optional at University of Northern Colorado.
  • Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027; University of Northern Colorado Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at University of Northern Colorado average a 3.53 high school GPA, 0.2 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. 13% at University of Northern Colorado.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, California State Polytechnic University Humboldt graduates have a $2,470 lower median loan debt than University of Northern Colorado graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,970).
  • Among borrowers, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Northern Colorado graduates ($201 vs. $227).
  • More University of Northern Colorado 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.

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