ASU vs. UC Riverside

Comparable Facts

Compare Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ with University of California Riverside in Riverside, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Arizona State University is larger than UC Riverside based on total student enrollment (79,818 students vs. 26,384 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arizona State University is located in Tempe, AZ (Midsize City setting); University of California Riverside is in Riverside, CA (Large City setting).
• Arizona State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Riverside is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Arizona State University 18:1; University of California Riverside 22:1.

ASU vs. UC Riverside Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ASU or UC Riverside? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of California Riverside than ASU ($14,562 vs. $17,779).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Arizona State University are 19.2% lower than at University of California Riverside ($16,712 vs. $20,691).
• University of California Riverside is 27.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than ASU (about $3,383 more per year; $15,606.00 vs. $12,223.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.3% higher at UC Riverside than at Arizona State University (about $16,667 more per year; $49,806.00 vs. $33,139.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Arizona State University than at University of California Riverside (89% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Riverside students is 100.1% larger than aid received by Arizona State University students ($24,355 vs. $12,172).

ASU vs. UC Riverside Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ASU or UC Riverside? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UC Riverside and ASU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Arizona State University (1210) is 30 points higher than at UC Riverside (1180).
• Incoming UC Riverside students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at ASU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arizona State University 1100/1320; University of California Riverside 1080/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arizona State University 21/28; University of California Riverside 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ASU - Test optional; UC Riverside - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Riverside Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Riverside students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at ASU (3.54).
• ASU has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than UC Riverside (76.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.1% at ASU vs. 12.2% at UC Riverside.

ASU vs. UC Riverside Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ASU and UC Riverside? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of California Riverside's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Arizona State University's (57%).
• Graduates from Arizona State University earn a median of about $400 more per year than UC Riverside graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,600 vs. $52,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Riverside graduates have a $1,169 lower median loan debt than ASU graduates ($19,109 vs. $20,278).
• Among borrowers, UC Riverside graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ASU graduates ($197 vs. $209).
• More UC Riverside graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ASU students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 57%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.