At $13,167/yr net price, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates earn $47,626/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $13,626/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $13,167 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $52,668 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $47,626/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$13,626/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 46.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $18,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $8,090/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,623/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,095/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,692/yr |
| $110,001+ | $22,695/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $53,775 | $17,625 |
| Social Work. | Master | $53,045 | $29,654 |
| Psychology, General. | Master | $52,941 | $38,684 |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering. | Bachelor | $48,265 | $25,000 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | Master | $41,565 | $24,185 |
| Plant Sciences. | Bachelor | $39,927 | |
| Forestry. | Bachelor | $38,289 | $21,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $36,294 | $15,448 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Master | $36,134 | |
| Biology, General. | Master | $30,771 |
The Risk Factor
46.6% of students at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Cal Poly Humboldt gives you a moderate financial return with a low debt load. You borrow $18,000 median and pay back against $47,626 median earnings ten years out, which keeps your debt-to-income ratio manageable. The problem is the earnings ceiling: most programs here land well below what a bachelor's degree typically returns.
Computer Science is the clear winner, and it's not close. At $53,775 with the lowest debt of any top program listed, it pays off cleanly. Environmental Engineering earns almost as much but saddles you with $25,000 in debt, the highest here, so your net return is thinner. After that, the numbers drop hard. Plant Sciences, Forestry, and Business Administration all pay in the mid-to-high $30,000s. Forestry in particular pairs low pay with $21,000 in debt, a weak trade. These reflect Humboldt's rural North Coast location and its focus on natural resources, where jobs exist but salaries stay low.
Two risks stand out. The 46.6% graduation rate means fewer than half of you finish, and if you leave with debt and no degree, you get the loan without the payoff. The 75.6% retention rate says a quarter of you don't return after year one. Pick a low-earning major and take on average debt, and the math turns against you.
This school fits you if you're studying Computer Science or you qualify for the lower net price tiers. Under $30k income, you pay $8,090. over $110k, you pay $22,695. That bottom tier makes the environmental and forestry programs survivable despite low pay. If you're borrowing at the top tier for Forestry or Business, look elsewhere or switch majors. The financial case here rests almost entirely on which program you choose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt worth the cost?
With a low net price of $13,167 annually and median debt of only $18,000, Humboldt offers solid value despite modest post-graduation earnings of $47,626. The 46% graduation rate is concerning and indicates many students struggle to complete their degrees.
What are the best paying majors at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt?
Computer Science leads at $53,775 annually, followed by Social Work at $53,045. These programs offer the strongest return on investment, while Natural Resources Conservation lags at $41,565 despite being a signature program.
How much debt do California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates have?
Graduates carry a median debt of $18,000, which is manageable compared to many universities. However, with average earnings of $47,626, debt-to-income ratios remain reasonable for most programs.
Does California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt have a good graduation rate?
The 46% graduation rate is below average and represents a significant risk factor. Nearly half of students who start at Humboldt do not finish their degrees, which directly impacts the return on investment calculation.