California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. USC

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

California State Polytechnic University Humboldt
University of Southern California

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: USC (9.8% admitted vs 98.2%). Typical SAT 1500 vs 1080.
  • Cheaper after aid: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt. Average net price is $14,090 vs $43,412 at USC.
  • Graduation: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 40% vs USC 90%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt $39,000 vs USC $85,500 (median).
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Key differences

California State Polytechnic University Humboldt University of Southern California
Acceptance rate
USC more selective
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt98.2%
USC9.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
USC higher
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt970-1190
USC1450-1550
Average net price
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt $29,322 less
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt$14,090
USC$43,412
In-state tuition
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt $63,847 less
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt$8,250
USC$72,097
Out-of-state tuition
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt $51,247 less
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt$20,850
USC$72,097
Graduation rate
USC +50 pts
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt40%
USC90%
Median earnings (10 years)
USC +$46,500
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt$39,000
USC$85,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

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Check my chances at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Check my chances at USC
  • Applied
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 15,725
  • USC 82,027
  • Admitted
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 15,442
  • USC 8,050
  • Acceptance rate
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 98.2%
  • USC 9.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 5.9%
  • USC 43.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 1080
  • USC 1500
  • Typical ACT score
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 21
  • USC 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 3.33
  • USC 3.83
  • Typical high school grades
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt B+
  • USC A-
  • Admissions standards
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Easy
  • USC Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt
  • USC Very High
  • SAT range
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 970-1190
  • USC 1450-1550
  • ACT range
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 17-25
  • USC 32-35
  • Submit test scores
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Test-free
  • USC Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027
  • USC
  • Tuition (in state)
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt $8,250
  • USC $72,097
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt $20,850
  • USC $72,097
  • Room & board
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt $14,118
  • USC $19,931
  • Average net price
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt $14,090
  • USC $43,412
  • Average grant aid
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt $10,748
  • USC $46,897
  • % receiving grant aid
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 66%
  • USC 70%
  • Graduation rate
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 40%
  • USC 90%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt $39,000
  • USC $85,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 56%
  • USC 81%
  • Median student loan debt
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt $19,500
  • USC $22,375
  • Median loan payment
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt $201
  • USC $231
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 16:1
  • USC 9:1
  • 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%)
  • USC
    • Business (25%)
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (13%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Engineering (8%)
  • Location
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Arcata, CA
  • USC Los Angeles, CA
  • Setting
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Remote Town
  • USC Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 6,237
  • USC 46,566
  • Type
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Public 4 Year
  • USC Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt #787
  • USC #37

Comparable Facts

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

University of Southern California is larger than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt based on total student enrollment (46,566 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 Southern California is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
  • California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Southern California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 16:1; University of Southern California 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt are 29.2% lower than at University of Southern California ($14,118 vs. $19,931).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 245.8% higher at USC than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (about $51,247 more per year; $72,097 vs. $20,850).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern California than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (70% vs. 66%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Southern California students is 336.3% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Humboldt students ($46,897 vs. $10,748).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 12 points higher at USC than at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (33 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt, test optional at USC.
  • Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at USC average a 3.83 high school GPA, 0.5 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. 43.3% at USC.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, California State Polytechnic University Humboldt graduates have a $2,875 lower median loan debt than USC graduates ($19,500 vs. $22,375).
  • Among borrowers, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates have an estimated $30 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC graduates ($201 vs. $231).
  • More USC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students, three years after graduation (81% 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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