California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt at a Glance
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona is a public polytechnic research university in Pomona, California, United States. It is the largest of the three polytechnic universities in the California State University system by enrollment.
1938
88 years old
$204M
$203.8 million (2025)
27,196
25,255 undergrad · 1,941 grad
1,512
1,438 acres
Identity
Is California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Worth It?
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt offers moderate value at $13,171/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $47,626, which is 11% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 48% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 98% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
How California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in CA
Ranked #75 of 181 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #3 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #4 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #5 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #6 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #75 | California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt | 43 | $13,171 | $47,626 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 9 in CA.
Best Programs at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt
The highest-earning program at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt is Computer Science at $51,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other at $16,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Science graduate from California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt earns $51,700, while a Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other graduate earns $16,000. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer Science graduates carry $17,625 in median debt vs. $20,000 for Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $13,171/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $51,700 | $51,700 | $17,625 |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering | $43,900 | $43,900 | $24,300 |
| Forestry | $33,400 | $33,400 | $25,618 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $32,900 | $32,900 | $18,615 |
| Social Work | $29,000 | $29,000 | $21,818 |
| Political Science and Government | $27,400 | $27,400 | $15,677 |
| Biology, General | $26,000 | $26,000 | $24,215 |
| Natural Resources Management and Policy | $25,600 | $25,600 | $17,833 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $25,100 | $25,100 | $22,500 |
| Sociology | $23,400 | $23,400 | $15,000 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $23,000 | $23,000 | $19,281 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $23,000 | $23,000 | $15,000 |
| History | $23,000 | $23,000 | $14,500 |
| Psychology, General | $22,400 | $22,400 | $18,000 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $21,900 | $21,900 | $23,600 |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | $21,300 | $21,300 | $22,068 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $20,400 | $20,400 | $19,557 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $20,300 | $20,300 | $15,000 |
| Anthropology | $18,500 | $18,500 | $19,083 |
| Journalism | $18,100 | $18,100 | $15,200 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $16,900 | $16,900 | $22,500 |
| Zoology/Animal Biology | $16,500 | $16,500 | $19,002 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $16,000 | $16,000 | $20,000 |
Similar Colleges in CA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Arcata, CA
- Student Body
- 5,612 students
- Admission Rate
- 98%
- Graduation Rate
- 48%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $13,171
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $47,626
- Median Student Debt
- $18,000