Biola University vs. UC Riverside

Comparable Facts

Compare Biola University in La Mirada, CA with University of California Riverside in Riverside, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Riverside is larger than Biola University based on total student enrollment (26,384 students vs. 5,434 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Biola University is located in La Mirada, CA (Large Suburban setting); University of California Riverside is in Riverside, CA (Large City setting).
• Biola University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Riverside is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Biola University 15:1; University of California Riverside 22:1.

Biola University vs. UC Riverside Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Biola University 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 Biola University ($14,562 vs. $34,082).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Biola University are 36.5% lower than at University of California Riverside ($13,130 vs. $20,691).
• Biola University is 213.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Riverside (about $33,378 more per year; $48,984.00 vs. $15,606.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.7% higher at UC Riverside than at Biola University (about $822 more per year; $49,806.00 vs. $48,984.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Biola University than at University of California Riverside (99% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Biola University students is 18.3% larger than aid received by University of California Riverside students ($28,817 vs. $24,355).

Biola University vs. UC Riverside Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Biola University 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 Biola University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Biola University (1270) is 90 points higher than at UC Riverside (1180).
• Incoming Biola University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 26) as students at UC Riverside (26).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Biola University 1160/1370; University of California Riverside 1080/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Biola University 24/29; University of California Riverside 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Biola University - Test optional; UC Riverside - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Riverside Nov 30, 2026.
• 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 (76.4%) than Biola University (74.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.7% at Biola University vs. 12.2% at UC Riverside.

Biola University vs. UC Riverside Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Biola University 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).

• Biola University's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than University of California Riverside's (67%).
• Graduates from University of California Riverside earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than Biola University graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,200 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Riverside graduates have a $5,391 lower median loan debt than Biola University graduates ($19,109 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, UC Riverside graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.