Cal Poly Humboldt’s admissions process seeks to admit all qualified students, with over 90% of applicants admitted. Currently (2022), none of the academic programs at Humboldt are impacted, meaning that all qualified applicants may be admitted.

To determine qualification, applications are evaluated for weighted GPA (wGPA), which can include extra grade points for up to 8 semesters of honors, AP, or community coursework. Eligible California residents must have an academic wGPA of 2.5 or higher, but California applicants with a wGPA between 2.00 and 2.49 may also be considered. Eligible non-residents must have a wGPA of 3.0 or higher, and non-residents of WUE member states are given additional consideration. Cal Poly Humboldt reviews applicants for progress toward completion of required core coursework, including a minimum of 4 years of English, 3 years of math (4 recommended), 2 years of US history and government, 1 year of physical lab science, 1 year of biological lab science, 2 years of the same foreign language, 1 year of the same visual and performing arts, and 1 additional year of coursework in any of the previous categories. Interested applicants should verify their eligibility for admission.

The California State University system eliminated the use of SAT or ACT scores as part of the application process, although certain scores can allow matriculating students to waive out of required coursework.