Humboldt State University: Rankings, Courses, Admissions, Tuition Fee, Cost of Attendance & Scholarships

Initially set up as a teacher’s college in 1913 and after several name changes, the present-day Humboldt State University (HSU) is a part of the 23-campus California State University system. Located in the best college town of the West – Arcata, HSU is a co-ed, public institution offering undergraduate and postgraduate programs in a wide range of study areas with extensive research facilities. 

Rankings

• U.S. News & World Report names HSU #37 in Regional Universities West in its 2023 edition of Best Colleges in America and #43 in Best Value Schools.
• THE World University Rankings places Humboldt in the 201-300th bracket in its 2023 Impact Rankings: Quality education.
• Princeton Review names HSU "Best in the West" and "Green College".
• The Forbes lists HSU #623 among Top Colleges in 2023, #237 in Public Colleges, and #115 in the West.

Highlights

Programs, Faculties, and Divisions

HSU offers a wide range of academic program choices, with 51 majors, 73 minors, 12 graduate and 14 credential programs including 6 single subject credentials, and several certificates of study through three Colleges:

• College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
• College of Natural Resources & Sciences
• College of Professional Studies

Natural resources and sciences, as well as visual and performing arts, are popular areas of study at HSU. Humboldt also has one of the only UG oceanography program in California and also offers a vessel used primarily for undergraduate research.

HSU Campus

Located 270 miles north of San Francisco, in the rural college town of Arcata, HSU is the northernmost campus in the California State University system. Nestled along 110 miles of coastline and 680,000 acres of state and national parks, the campus spreads across over 144 acres of natural space. Over 70% of undergrad classes at Humboldt State University have fewer than 30 students and a student-faculty ratio of 21:1. 

Student Housing Facilities at HSU

Close to 1,800 students or about one-fourth of the total student base at HSU prefer to live on campus, of which the majority are incoming freshmen. With a capacity of 2,100 residents, the HSU on-campus residence facilities are clustered together on the edge of a 2,500-acre Redwood forest, a short distance from the campus center. 

Suite, apartment and residence hall-style accommodation is available in single, double and triple sharing bases. Each campus residence is organized around a specific academic, cultural, or personal interest to foster a bond among inmates.

Incoming freshmen who have either been admitted/ provisionally admitted to the university can apply for housing through the student portal and submit a non-refundable fee of USD 200. Please note that accommodation assignments are made on a first-come-first-served basis as space is limited and the university does not guarantee housing.

Specific residences require that residents subscribe to meal plans on-campus while others are exempted. Room rent at campus housing ranges from USD 4,938 to USD 8,686 while meal plans range from USD 2,176 to USD 6,924.

Students deciding to stay off-campus can look for off-campus student housing options that are close to the university campus. Students can opt for homestays, rented or shared apartments, etc. The university has an Off-campus Housing Coordinator that helps students with off-campus housing questions and resources.

Humboldt State University Application Process

How to apply: For admissions to Humboldt State University, application to HSU is an online process through Cal State Apply.

Application fee: USD 70

Application Deadline:

Please note:

• Very few graduate programs accept spring admissions. M.A. in English and Public Sociology programs are open for the Spring Intake.
• On-campus housing for spring applicants is not guaranteed, hence they are advised to apply as early as possible.
• Fall applicants who apply after March 1 cannot be guaranteed reserved space in on-campus accommodations.

Admission Requirements:

• Complete online application for admission.
• Official Transcripts of all Academic Records. UG applicants must have a high school GPA of 2.5 on a scale of 4.0. Graduate applicants should hold an acceptable bachelor's degree with a minimum overall GPA of 2.5 and a GPA of 2.75 in the last 60 semester units. Please note that Indian students with a 3-year Bachelor’s degree should have acquired the same from a Division I, NAAC ‘A’-grade accredited institution. If this is not the case, then the 3-year bachelor’s degree should be accompanied by a PGD from a NAAC/ AICTE accredited institution or a 2-year master’s degree with a minimum score of 50%.
• Scores of standardized exams to study in the USA: International applicants are not required to take the SAT/ ACT. However, if you have taken the tests and have scored high on Math or English, you may be exempted from the English Proficiency requirement. Select graduate programs require GRE scores.
• Official English Proficiency Test Scores*. HSU accepts several tests as proof of English Proficiency, some of which are listed below:

*Scores must be received within two years of applying to HSU and sent directly from the testing organization.

• Certification of Financial Support along with Bank Statement
• Photocopy of Passport
• Academic Letter of Recommendation.

Please note that graduate applicants may have to fulfill additional departmental requirements like documents (statement of objectives and three letters of recommendation), minimum GPA, standardized test scores, and application deadlines.

Applicants need to send their application materials to either international@humboldt.edu or to International Student Admissions, Center for International Programs, Humboldt State University, 1 Harpst Street, Arcata, CA 95521-8299 USA.

Cost of Attendance

The table below presents the cost estimates for international students studying at HSU for the period of August till May:

Scholarship and Financial Aids

Federal financial aid is not available for international students at HSU. However, international students may be eligible for athletic scholarships as well as the HSU International Student Scholarship.

The HSU International Student Scholarship is awarded to full-time, undergraduate/ graduate international students (current and incoming) with a strong academic record and demonstrated financial need. 

• An approximate award of USD 1,000 - USD 2,000 is disbursed towards out-of-state tuition fees. 
• Application deadline for the HSU International Student Scholarship is May 15 and October 15 for Fall and Spring sessions respectively. 
• The application procedure includes the submission of a minimum of two recommendation letters along with an essay citing academic performance and financial need. 
• The application materials and the application should be emailed to the Center for International Programs at international@humboldt.edu.

Fall 2023 onwards, HSU Students opting to live in campus housing will be eligible for an annual USD 1,000 scholarship award towards their housing costs, renewable through Spring 2024, provided the recipient maintains satisfactory academic progress.

Graduate Assistantship or partial fee waiver is considered by select academic departments.Please note that several external international scholarship options are also available for international students with varying eligibility criteria to study in the USA. These scholarships are awarded by various private agencies and organizations.

Work While You Study

International students on F-1/J-1 visa to the USA can work on-campus at the University for up to 20 hours per week during the regular academic semesters. They are allowed to work up to 40 hours during the winter and summer breaks. Such students must complete an On-Campus Employment Authorization Request Form before engaging in any on-campus employment and also maintain their F-1/J-1 status.

Students who have completed one full academic year of study can engage in off-campus employment for "practical training". There are two types of practical training employment authorization: optional and curricular. A limited number of internship positions are available with the university with a partial waiver of non-resident tuition in lieu of hours worked.

Additionally, international students may be considered for employment based on demonstrated severe economic hardship or by being employed by specific types of international organizations. The HSU Career Center and the Center for International Programs can help with available opportunities and how to obtain employment while you are studying.

Alumni Network

Forever Humboldt – the HSU Alumni Association binds the alumnae of the institution throughout the world with the common thread of shared pride. Members have access to career and educational resources, health and wellness programs, attractive local business discounts and insurance packages, etc.

Here are the names of some of HSU alumni who have made outstanding contributions to society and culture.

• Rick Rosenthal- Emmy and BAFTA award-winning cinematographer
• R. W. Hicks- CAA All American and NFL player
• Kaitlin Yarnall- Deputy Creative Director of National Geographic magazine
• Monroe Spaght- former president and chairman of Shell Oil
• Bruce Jackson- Vice President of Trade Controls/Export Strategy with Virgin Galactic
• Kenneth L. Fisher- Author and CEO of Fisher Investments