Cal Poly Humboldt is a public polytechnic university in the California State University system, in Arcata among the redwood forests of California's north coast. It is best known for forestry, environmental science, wildlife, fisheries, marine biology and engineering, with hands-on teaching and one of the most scenic campuses in the state. Choose it for an environment-focused polytechnic degree at CSU prices.
Arcata, United States
Official website: humboldt.edu
#1401
California's third polytechnic university, designated in 2022
Among the top-ranked undergraduate programmes in the US
Campus beside a community forest of old-growth redwoods, near the Pacific
$20,000 – $25,000
International students, non-resident undergraduate and master's rates
$15,000 – $19,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on humboldt.edu before you apply.
MS Environmental Systems
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
MS Natural Resources
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
MBA
Masters DegreeDuration
12 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
MS Biology
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
BS Environmental Resources Engineering
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 61
BS Forestry
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 61
Forestry and wildlife — programmes taught in the redwoods with a campus community forest.
Environmental resources engineering — one of the few US degrees in the field.
Marine science — a marine laboratory on the coast at Trinidad.
Polytechnic mission — new engineering and applied science programmes since 2022.
Graduates join the US Forest Service, CalFire, the National Park Service, environmental consultancies and California agencies.
STEM master's graduates can work in the US for up to three years on OPT.
Engineering alumni work in water, energy and environmental firms across California.
Wildlife and fisheries graduates enter state and federal agencies and conservation organisations.
Undergrad
30 Nov 2026
Postgrad
Varies by programme
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Varies by programme
The 145-acre campus sits on a hillside above Arcata beside its community forest, with the library and the University Center at its core, the science and engineering buildings nearby and residence halls on the slopes.
Arcata is a small town of about 19,000 people on Humboldt Bay with a farmers' market, redwood trails and beaches nearby, mild but rainy weather and moderate rent. San Francisco is about five hours south.
Form I-20 issued by Cal Poly Humboldt
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
Undergraduate applications for fall 2027 go through Cal State Apply between 1 October and 30 November 2026, with some majors accepting late applications; spring entry is open for many majors on a rolling basis. Graduate deadlines are set by each programme, with most closing between 1 February and 1 April.
Undergraduates can start in fall (late August) or, for most majors, spring (January). Natural resources master's admit for both fall and spring, while environmental systems, the MBA and biology master's are fall only. Check your programme's admissions page to confirm.
You need an F-1 student visa. The International Students and Scholars office issues your Form I-20 after you accept the offer and submit proof of funding. Then pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 and book an interview at a US embassy or consulate.
Environmental systems, natural resources, the MBA, biology and environmental resources engineering attract the most international applicants, along with forestry. Graduate admission needs a bachelor's degree with a GPA of at least 3.0, TOEFL 80 or IELTS 6.5; the GRE is optional. Undergraduate admission is based on grades under CSU eligibility rules.
Cal Poly Humboldt offers limited merit scholarships to international students through its online scholarship application after admission; need-based aid is not available, though tuition is low for California. Graduate students can apply for teaching assistantships and research positions funded by faculty grants in forestry, fisheries and the sciences.
