Cost & ROI · 2026
Is California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt worth it?
Pay $13,171/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $47,626 ten years out — about 3.6× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: B.
The ROI math, in 30 seconds
Benchmarks
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs California avg vs national avg
How this school stacks up against the typical California college and the typical US college.
| Metric | California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt | California avg | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg net price | ▲ $13,171 | $19,903 | $18,467 |
| Median earnings 10y | ▼ $47,626 | $55,363 | $50,834 |
| Median debt | ▲ $18,000 | $17,539 | $19,694 |
| Graduation rate | ▼ 48.6% | 54.3% | 49.9% |
| Acceptance rate | ▲ 98.2% | 66% | 72.3% |
Hidden cost
What you actually pay, by family income
Net price after grants and scholarships changes a lot depending on family income. Find your bracket.
Total cost
4-year cost projection
Estimated net price each year through graduation, assuming a typical 3% annual tuition increase.
Sticker price (without aid) would run roughly $100,680 over four years. Most students get $11,999/yr in grants and scholarships.
Debt math
Loan repayment scenarios
If you borrow the median $18,000 at a 6.5% federal rate, here's what each repayment plan looks like.
Debt-to-earnings: 38% of one year's median pay. Financial advisors recommend keeping student debt under 100% of expected first-year salary. You're well below that threshold.
Lifetime impact
Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree
Over a typical 40-year career, the median California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt grad earns about $105,040 more than a high school graduate (assuming HS median ≈ $45k/yr, BLS).
Caveat: this is a population median, not a guarantee. Actual outcomes vary widely by major, career path, and individual choices. We're showing the median to set realistic expectations.
The verdict
What the numbers say about California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt
The average student at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt pays $13,171 a year after grants and scholarships, against a $25,170 published sticker price. That is below the CA average net price of $19,903.
Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $47,626 — below the CA median of $55,363. Weighed against what students actually pay, EduGradify models this as an exceptional investment.
Typical graduates borrow about $18,000, roughly $195 a month on a standard ten-year plan — a manageable load at about 38% of one year's median earnings.
Smart alternatives
Cheaper California colleges with comparable outcomes
Same state, at least 20% lower net price, with earnings within reach of California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt.
San Mateo, CA · Public College of San Mateo A+ 
Santee, CA · Private Non-Profit San Diego Christian College A+ Frequently asked
Cost & ROI questions
What is the net price at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt?
The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $13,171 per year. That's $11,999/yr in financial aid against the $25,170 sticker price. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $52,684.
How much do California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates earn a median of $47,626 per year — below the national average of $50,834. That's about 3.6× the annual net cost.
How much debt do California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates take on?
Median federal loan debt at graduation is $18,000 — about $195/month on a standard 10-year repayment plan (assuming a 6.5% federal rate). 33.8% of students take federal loans.
Is California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt worth the cost?
EduGradify assigns California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt a value grade of B — top 36% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $13,171/yr, earn $47,626/yr ten years out, ROI score of 9.04. Exceptional Investment.
What financial aid is available at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt?
42.9% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 33.8% take federal student loans. On average, students get $11,999 per year in grants and scholarships off the sticker price.
What's the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt?
In-state tuition is $8,250 per year. Out-of-state tuition is $20,850 per year — a difference of $12,600/yr or $50,400 over four years.
How does net price change with family income at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt?
Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $8,483. Students from families earning over $110k pay about $22,228. See the chart below for all five income bands.
How we calculate ROI
Every number on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI score = (median earnings 10 years out × 10) / (avg net price × 4). The higher the ratio, the more graduates earn per dollar invested. We then percentile-rank every US college on that score to assign letter grades A+ through D. Read the full methodology →