Humboldt State University College Portrait

At Humboldt State University, students enjoy an extraordinary college experience. They are part of a tight-knit community where learning takes place in small classes and professors know them by name. And they live in a beautiful area known for its redwood forests and expansive beaches. Humboldt State offers 48 majors and 84 minors. Programs in natural resources and sciences are nationally recognized, while visual and performing arts are also popular areas of study. HSU prides itself on its commitment to environmental responsibility and social justice. In 1987 students created the Graduation Pledge to inspire graduates to consider the social and environmental impact of their careers. This, along with programs like Youth Educational Services and a student-run eco-demonstration house, contribute to Princeton Review consistently calling HSU a “College with a Conscience.”

California’s North Coast is an outdoor adventurer’s paradise, and, for Humboldt State students, it’s also a laboratory for learning. Students picnic at the same beaches where they study marine life, and they learn from the world’s foremost expert on redwood canopies. They do film shoots, wildlife studies and archaeological digs. They carry out projects on the Coral Sea, the only research vessel in America dedicated to undergraduate research. They work with leading experts in sustainable energy at the Schatz Energy Research Center and they study the stars at the campus observatory. Humboldt State’s hometown of Arcata is a vibrant and welcoming community filled with music, art and festivals. It has been called one of the top college towns by Outside magazine and a “next great adventure town” by National Geographic Adventure magazine. On campus, there are more than 180 student clubs, and Center Arts brings in nationally recognized performers and speakers. There is also a state-of-the-art recreation center and a new physical education facility. Twelve intercollegiate athletic teams compete at the Division II level, including a nationally ranked softball squad.