California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate

Comparable Facts

Compare California State Polytechnic University Humboldt in Arcata, CA with University of South Carolina Upstate in Spartanburg, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is larger than University of South Carolina-Upstate based on total student enrollment (6,237 students vs. 4,916 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is located in Arcata, CA (Remote Town setting); University of South Carolina Upstate is in Spartanburg, SC (Midsize Suburban setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Upstate is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 16:1; University of South Carolina Upstate 15:1.

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt or University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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 University of South Carolina Upstate than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt ($13,999 vs. $14,090).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Upstate are 25.4% lower than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt ($10,533 vs. $14,118).
• University of South Carolina Upstate is 40.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (about $3,338 more per year; $11,588.00 vs. $8,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.7% higher at University of South Carolina-Upstate than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (about $2,240 more per year; $23,090.00 vs. $20,850.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Upstate than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (97% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State Polytechnic University Humboldt students is 0.3% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Upstate students ($10,748 vs. $10,719).

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt or University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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 University of South Carolina-Upstate and California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Upstate (1090) is 10 points higher than at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (1080).
• Incoming University of South Carolina-Upstate 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; University of South Carolina Upstate 1005/1175.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 17/25; University of South Carolina Upstate 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt - Test-free; University of South Carolina-Upstate - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students have a 0.8 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at University of South Carolina-Upstate (2.53).
• California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt has a higher acceptance rate (98.2%) than University of South Carolina-Upstate (67.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.9% at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. 24% at University of South Carolina-Upstate.

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt and University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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).

• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than University of South Carolina Upstate's (39%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Upstate earn a median of about $300 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,300 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State Polytechnic University Humboldt graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates ($19,500 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates ($201 vs. $232).
• More California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of South Carolina-Upstate students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 55%)

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.