Humboldt State University

Humboldt State students enjoy an extraordinary college experience, taking small classes taught by professors who know them by name. They live and learn near ancient redwood forests, mountains and beaches. The university is located 275 miles north of San Francisco in the town of Arcata.

  • Average Tuition USD 34,536
  • Acceptance Rate 77%
  • Students 8,485
  • International Students 1.1%
  • Total Annual Cost USD 52,464
  • Campus Setting Rural

School Description

Humboldt State University (HSU) is the northernmost California State University (CSU) campus. Every year, students from around the world come to HSU for a high quality education and to live in a friendly, safe and welcoming environment. 

HSU is renowned nationally and internationally for its academic excellence, intensive research and unique programs. Our small class sizes allow students to receive personalized attention and support. HSU has outstanding natural science and resources programs, and also excels in the areas of business, humanities and liberal arts. HSU consistently ranks among the top regional colleges in publications such as U.S. News & World Report. The Princeton Review ranks Humboldt State a Best Western College. 

International students can explore this unique area and enjoy a vibrant college town located in the heart of California's beautiful northern coast. Our beautiful location, safe campus and academically excellent programs make HSU one of the most appealing schools in California.

  • 01Ranked #15 for public regional universities in the Western U.S.
  • 02Designated "Best in the West" and a "Green College" by the Princeton Review
  • 03Live and learn in Humboldt County, ranked the second most desirable county to live in by the Washington Post

Bachelor Programs

  • 1 Harpst St, Arcata, CA 95521, United States

    Art

    USD 16,994 Tuition Fee

    This program offers a wide range of courses that focus on the study of art history; art theory and criticism; performing arts; 2D art; 3D art; digital art; photography, and architectural modelmaking. The degree program offers concentrations in Studio Art, Art History, and Art Education. Students can choose to receive a bachelor's in Arts or Fine Arts.

    Apply Now Shortlist
  • 1 Harpst St, Arcata, CA 95521, United States

    Child Development (Liberal Studies)

    USD 16,994 Tuition Fee

    This program is designed to equip students with the theoretical, conceptual, and practical knowledge of Child Development. The program offers courses that focus on the development of children, the family and the community, and language development.

    Apply Now Shortlist
  • 1 Harpst St, Arcata, CA 95521, United States

    Child Development/Elementary Education (Liberal Studies)

    USD 16,994 Tuition Fee

    This program is designed to equip students with the theoretical, conceptual, and practical knowledge of Child Development and Early Education. The program offers courses that focus on the development of children, the family and the community, language development, and educational settings.

    Apply Now Shortlist
  • 1 Harpst St, Arcata, CA 95521, United States

    Communication

    USD 16,994 Tuition Fee

    This program is designed to equip students with the concepts of Communication. The program offers courses that focus on the fundamentals of communication, critical thinking and learning, interpersonal communication, and intercultural communication.

    Apply Now Shortlist
  • 1 Harpst St, Arcata, CA 95521, United States

    Criminology and Justice Studies

    USD 16,994 Tuition Fee

    This program is designed to equip students with the theoretical and practical knowledge of the fundamentals of Criminology and Justice Studies. The program offers courses that focus on the study of the history and theory of law enforcement; operational command leadership; administration of public police organizations; labor relations; incident response strategies; legal and regulatory responsibilities; budgeting; public relations; and organizational leadership.

    Apply Now Shortlist
  • 1 Harpst St, Arcata, CA 95521, United States

    Critical Race, Gender & Sexuality Studies

    USD 16,994 Tuition Fee

    This program is designed to equip students with the concepts of Race, Gender and Sexuality Studies. The program offers courses that focus on women's studies, men's studies, and LGBTQ studies.

    Apply Now Shortlist
  • 1 Harpst St, Arcata, CA 95521, United States

    Dance Studies (Interdisciplinary Studies)

    USD 16,994 Tuition Fee

    This program is designed to equip students with the technical and practical knowledge of the elements of Dance. The program offers courses that focus on the study of dance as a cultural phenomenon; dance techniques and choreography; history of dance; and dance production.

    Apply Now Shortlist
  • 1 Harpst St, Arcata, CA 95521, United States

    Environmental Resources Engineering

    USD 16,994 Tuition Fee

    This program is designed to equip students with the theoretical and practical knowledge of the fundamentals of Environmental Resources Engineering. The program offers courses that focus on the study of solid mechanics, environmental data modeling, and thermodynamics and energy systems.

    Apply Now Shortlist
  • 1 Harpst St, Arcata, CA 95521, United States

    Environmental Science and Management

    USD 16,994 Tuition Fee

    This program is designed to equip students with the theoretical and practical knowledge of Environmental Science, and Management. The program offers courses that focus on the study of water resource management, fish and wildlife ecology, ecological restoration, sustainable resource extraction, environmental monitoring, and environmental policy.

    Apply Now Shortlist
  • 1 Harpst St, Arcata, CA 95521, United States

    Film

    USD 16,994 Tuition Fee

    This program is designed to equip students with the conceptual and practical knowledge of Film. The program offers courses that focus on the study of visual arts; the history, development, theory, and critical analysis of film; and the principles of filmmaking and film production.

    Apply Now Shortlist
  • 1 Harpst St, Arcata, CA 95521, United States

    Fisheries Biology

    USD 16,994 Tuition Fee

    This program is designed to equip students with the theoretical and practical knowledge of Fisheries Biology. The program offers courses that focus on the study of fish, fish habitats, marine ecology, and water pollution.

    Apply Now Shortlist
  • 1 Harpst St, Arcata, CA 95521, United States

    French and Francophone Studies

    USD 16,994 Tuition Fee

    This program offers courses that develop students' French conversation, reading, and compositional skills. Courses also focus on the culture of the Francophone regions.

    Apply Now Shortlist
  • 1 Harpst St, Arcata, CA 95521, United States

    Geography

    USD 16,994 Tuition Fee

    This program is designed to equip students with the theoretical and conceptual knowledge of Geography. The program offers courses that focus on the study of the physical processes of Earth’s vegetation, climate, water and soil systems.

    Apply Now Shortlist
  • 1 Harpst St, Arcata, CA 95521, United States

    Geology

    USD 16,994 Tuition Fee

    This program is designed to equip students with the theoretical, conceptual, and practical knowledge of Geology. The program offers courses that focus on the study of earth structures, landscape evolution, and mineral exploration. Students can choose to receive a bachelor's degree in Science or Arts.

    Apply Now Shortlist
  • 1 Harpst St, Arcata, CA 95521, United States

    International Studies

    USD 16,994 Tuition Fee
    • Exchange Semester/Year Yes

    This interdisciplinary program is designed to equip students with the theoretical, conceptual, and practical knowledge of regions, cultures, and development. Students can choose one of the five degree concentrations, namely: Chinese Studies, European Studies, Global Cultural Studies, Latin American Studies, and Third World Development Studies.

    Apply Now Shortlist
  • 1 Harpst St, Arcata, CA 95521, United States

    Kinesiology

    USD 16,994 Tuition Fee

    This program is designed to equip students with the theoretical and practical knowledge of Kinesiology. The program offers courses that focus on the study of motor behavior, exercise physiology, biomechanics and neuroscience.

    Apply Now Shortlist
  • 1 Harpst St, Arcata, CA 95521, United States

    Leadership Studies (Interdisciplinary Studies)

    USD 16,994 Tuition Fee

    This program is designed to equip students with the theoretical and practical knowledge of the leadership skills required in a business, government, non-profit, or educational setting. The program offers courses that focus on the study of organizational planning; the dynamics of leadership; team building; conflict resolution and mediation; communication; and other management skills.

    Apply Now Shortlist
  • 1 Harpst St, Arcata, CA 95521, United States

    Liberal Studies/Elementary Education

    USD 16,994 Tuition Fee

    This program is designed to equip students with the theoretical, conceptual, and practical knowledge of Liberal Studies and Elementary Education. The program offers courses that focus on the arts, biological and physical sciences, social sciences, and humanities. 

    Apply Now Shortlist
  • 1 Harpst St, Arcata, CA 95521, United States

    Native American Studies

    USD 16,994 Tuition Fee

    This program is designed to equip students with the theoretical, conceptual, and practical knowledge of Native American Studies. The program offers courses that focus on Native American literature, language, and culture.

    Apply Now Shortlist
  • 1 Harpst St, Arcata, CA 95521, United States

    Oceanography

    USD 16,994 Tuition Fee

    This program is designed to equip students with the theoretical and practical knowledge of Oceanography. The program offers courses that focus on the study of marine ecosystems, oceans and climate, and general oceanography.

    Apply Now Shortlist
  • 1 Harpst St, Arcata, CA 95521, United States

    Physics

    USD 16,994 Tuition Fee

    This program is designed to equip students with the theoretical and practical knowledge of Physics. The program offers courses that focus on the study of matter and energy at a fundamental level using mathematics as the primary language to communicate concepts. Students can choose to receive a bachelor's degree in Science or Arts.

    Apply Now Shortlist
  • 1 Harpst St, Arcata, CA 95521, United States

    Rangeland Resource Science

    USD 16,994 Tuition Fee

    This program is designed to equip students with the theoretical and practical knowledge of Rangeland Resource Science. The program offers courses that focus on the study of Wildland Resource Principles, Wildland Plant Communities, Vegetation Analysis, and Wildland Restoration.

    Apply Now Shortlist
  • 1 Harpst St, Arcata, CA 95521, United States

    Recreation Administration

    USD 16,994 Tuition Fee

    This program is designed to equip students with the theoretical and practical knowledge of the fundamentals of Recreation Management. The program offers courses that focus on the study of Recreation Leadership, Leisure in Society, Leisure Programming, Inclusive Recreation, and Tourism Planning and Development.

    Apply Now Shortlist
  • 1 Harpst St, Arcata, CA 95521, United States

    Religious Studies

    USD 16,994 Tuition Fee

    This program is designed to equip students with the theological and practical knowledge of Religious Studies. The program offers courses that focus on teaching the fundamentals of religion and different belief systems; doctrines; rituals; customs; rites; and religion in society.

    Apply Now Shortlist
  • 1 Harpst St, Arcata, CA 95521, United States

    Theatre Arts

    USD 16,994 Tuition Fee

    This program is designed to equip students with the concepts of Theatre Arts. The program offers highly interdisciplinary courses that are delivered through a mix of practical workshops and lectures that focus on music, dance, and drama.

    Apply Now Shortlist
  • 1 Harpst St, Arcata, CA 95521, United States

    Wildlife

    USD 16,994 Tuition Fee

    This program is designed to equip students with the practical knowledge of Wildlife. The program offers courses that focus on wildlife, wildlife conservation, and ecosystems.

    Apply Now Shortlist
See more programs

Rankings

  • SchoolApply Ranking
    SchoolApply Ranking 849
  • Forbes (USA)
    Forbes (USA) 597

Admission Requirements

  • Minimum GPA 2.50
  • Minimum incoming TOEFL iBT 71
  • Minimum incoming IELTS 6.00
  • Minimum incoming GRE 0
  • Minimum incoming GMAT 0
  • Average SAT Score 985

Accreditations

    Financial Aid & Scholarship

    International students can apply for a $2,000/year International Student Scholarship.

    School Locations

    Other Information

    Established in 1913

    Other

    Considered by most as one of the best universities on the West Coast.

    Videos

    Explore Careers of Alumni

    Where they work

      What do they do

        Gallery

        The Location

        1 Harpst St, Arcata, CA 95521, United States

        Popular venues

          Social Media Feed

          In the Blog

          Student Reviews

          There are no reviews for Humboldt State University yet,
          be the first one to review.

          Leave a Review
          • Testimony
            , Physical Science

            An experience worth retelling!I grew up in Arcata and like many of my friends chose Humboldt State University as the launching ground for what would eventually become a strong career in high-tech. As locals we knew exactly what HSU had to offer, a level of quality and intimacy that was unparalleled. During my time at HSU I was given ample opportunity to explore different career paths. The support I received along the way provided a pressure-free atmosphere to ultimately pick the path that was right for me. There are many influential people who played a big role in my experience - Dr. Carol Lasko (Chemistry), Dr. Vithal Patel (Calculus) were among the best. Upon graduation I was fortunate to receive a job with Sun Microsystems who was recruiting on campus. I am forever grateful for my experience at HSU and would recommend the university to anyone. Your college experience is what you make of it. Take advantage of the opportunity HSU provides you and you'll do well in your career.

          • Testimony
            1976-1978, English

            Frontier to a JourneyThey say we learn our destiny in college. HSU gave me experiences that melded together into a foundation for my ideals. When an art teacher told me I was not dedicated enough to be an artist, I pushed harder. I became better. As an artist, admiration was the carrot that I chased. the bulk of my memories of HSU are the teachers, each with unique offerings to guide me on to adulthood. Secondly, I fondly remember the terrain of the campus; it was home for a couple years. Walking, biking, lots of time outdoors. There were fern flowered corners where one could find peace and quiet. There were opportunities to follow the cause of the day, to make a difference in the world, to take a stand. In these things, one finds meaning and purpose. As HSU evolves with the passing of time, I believe students choosing HSU will find a rich and memorable experience. This unique college community, combined with the naturally beautiful surroundings can offer meaningful guidance...

          • Testimony
            1999-2003, Environmental Resource Engineering

            HSU, one of the best educations you can get!HSU typically has smaller class sizes and much more availability to teachers and staff than the larger CSU schools. We were conditioned to work together as well as alone, and gave me a great sense to management without having to take a class in it.

          Share this School

          Choose your account

          SchoolApply lets you choose exactly how much support you will receive as you apply to universities abroad. When you set up your SchoolApply account, you can continue using the free version or you can make an upgrade to take full advantage of our expert counseling services.

          Learn more about the accounts

          Do you have a promo code?

          1 2
           

          Silver

          $250
          Upgrade
          RECOMMENDED

          Gold

          $750
          Upgrade

          Platinum

          $2000
          Upgrade
          Search Included Included Included
          Matching Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited
          Applications Up to 3 Up to 5 Up to 10
          Application Review
          University Application Fees School Specific
          1:1 Consultation  
          Essay Assistance  
          Visa Application  
          Visa Interview Preparation  
          Scholarship Search
          Flight & Accommodation Booking
          Personal Application Concierge
          Money Back Guarantee Money Back Guarantee
          Free Consultation Included
          Silver
          Upgrade           		Acceptance guarantee
          Gold
          Upgrade           		Acceptance guarantee
          Platinum
          Upgrade
          1 2

          Want more?

          The Founders account gives you access to all the personal services of the Platinum account, but goes even further. First, our founders will make it their personal mission to get you the best possible acceptance at a top university. Secondly, you will be counselled by top university graduates and senior executives from notable FT500 companies.

          This account is by invitation only Price $3,000