Humboldt County’s four universities admitted an estimated 98% of applicants for fall 2022, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Of those who were admitted, 12% enrolled.
Of the four institutions in the county, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt was the only one that provided detailed enrollment data at the time.
At least 8,505 people applied to Humboldt County colleges in the 2022-23 school year.
NCES data shows that among them, around 10,111 students enrolled in the universities, including 9,547 in undergraduate and 564 in graduate programs. In total 11% of undergraduates transferred from another college or university.
The reported undergraduate student body is comprised mostly of white (49.9%) and Hispanic (28%) students.
Among the institutions that provided disclosed enrollment data, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt stood out with the largest enrollment at the time, welcoming 6,025 students.
U.S. college enrollment has been in a downward trend since peaking at around 18.1 million students in 2010. Recent increases offered some relief, but experts project a steeper decline in 2025.
This decline is likely due to two main factors. First, the pool of young adults is shrinking as birth rates have fallen nearly 23% between 2007 and 2022. Second, the rising cost of higher education, including skyrocketing student loan debt. A 2023 Wall Street Journal report shows that more than half of Americans think a four-year degree is not worth the cost.
Some educational data is based on estimates. Shifting demographics among student populations can sometimes result in gender totals which do not equal 100%.
| Institution | # of Applicants | # of Admitted Students | Total Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fredrick and Charles Beauty College | — | — | 72 |
| College of the Redwoods | — | — | 4,006 |
| California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt | 8,505 | 8,335 | 6,025 |
| Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theatre | — | — | 8 |
