Biola University vs. UC Riverside

Should I go to Biola University or University of California Riverside? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Biola University or UC Riverside is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

UCSC San Diego State UC Merced UCI UCSD San Jose State ASU UC Davis PLNU Cal State Long Beach Azusa Pacific University UCSB
Biola University vs. University of California Riverside comparison
Biola University University of California Riverside College 3 College 4
Biola University University of California Riverside
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Biola University UC Riverside
Location La Mirada, CA Riverside, CA
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 5,296 26,426
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #260 #265
Religious Affiliation Undenominational - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website biola.edu ucr.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Biola University UC Riverside
Tuition (In State) $46,704 $11,834
Tuition (Out of State) $46,704 $42,611
Room & Board $11,234 $19,433
Avg Net Price $30,510 $13,533
Avg Grant Aid $28,096 $21,566
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 70%

Admission

Biola University UC Riverside
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,003 62,807
Admitted 2,405 39,758
Acceptance Rate 60.1% 63.3%
Enrolled % 31.3% 13.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.61 3.84
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 24/30 22/31
SAT Range 1130/1360 1080/1280
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Nov 30, 2025

Academics

Biola University UC Riverside
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 23:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (13%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (12%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Social Sciences (19%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Biology (14%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • General Studies (6%)

Outcomes

Biola University UC Riverside
Graduation Rate 71% 67%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,900 $52,200
Making Student Loan Payments 75% 65%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,500 $19,109
Median Loan Payment $253 $197

Diversity

Biola University UC Riverside
% Men 20% 9%
% Women 16% 5%
Racial Diversity Very High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 49% 13%
% Black 2% 4%
% Hispanic 19% 36%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 6% 4%
% International 3% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Biola University UC Riverside
% In-State 65% 95%
% Out-of-State 29% 1%

Campus

Biola University UC Riverside
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of California Riverside is larger than than Biola University based on total student enrollment (26,426 students vs. 5,296 students)

Biola University vs. UC Riverside Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Biola University or UC Riverside?

  • Biola University is 294.7% more expensive to attend than UC Riverside for in-state tuition ($46,704.00 vs. $11,834.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 9.6% higher at Biola University than University of California Riverside ($46,704.00 vs. $42,611.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of California Riverside than Biola University ($13,533 vs. $30,510)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Biola University are 73% lower than costs at University of California Riverside ($11,234 vs. $19,433)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Biola University than University of California Riverside (100% vs. 70%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Biola University students is 30.3% larger than aid received University of California Riverside ($28,096 vs. $21,566)

Biola University vs. UC Riverside Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Biola University or UC Riverside? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between UC Riverside or Biola University .

  • The average SAT score at University of California Riverside (1119) is 4 points higher than at Biola University (1115)
  • Incoming UC Riverside students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at Biola University (25)
  • Accepted freshman UC Riverside students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Biola University (3.61)
  • UC Riverside has a higher acceptance rate (63.3%) than Biola University (60.1%)

Biola University vs. UC Riverside Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Biola University or UC Riverside? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between UC Riverside and Biola University.

  • The graduation rate at Biola University is higher than University of California Riverside (71% vs. 67%)
  • Graduates from University of California Riverside earn on average $3,300 more per year than Biola University graduates after ten years. ($52,200 vs. $48,900)
  • University of California Riverside students graduate with a $5,391 lower median federal student loan debt than Biola University graduates. ($19,109 vs. $24,500)
  • UC Riverside graduates are paying $56 less per month on federal student loans than Biola University graduates. ($197 vs. $253)
  • More Biola University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Riverside students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 65%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/