Humboldt State University is the northernmost campus of the California State University system, and is located in Arcata, California, about 300 miles north of San Francisco, on a hillside with a view of the Pacific Ocean.

The university's approximate student population is around 7400, with undergraduate programs in liberal arts, sciences, arts and other common areas of study. Humboldt also hosts many graduate programs leading to both master's and doctoral degrees, including Biology, Forestry and Environmental Engineering faculties. The newly inaugurated president of the university is noted biologist and longtime academic administrator Rollin C. Richmond.