UAA vs. UC Riverside

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Alaska Anchorage in Anchorage, AK 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 UAA based on total student enrollment (26,384 students vs. 10,493 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Alaska Anchorage is located in Anchorage, AK (Large City setting); University of California Riverside is in Riverside, CA (Large City setting).
• University of Alaska Anchorage is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Riverside is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Alaska Anchorage 11:1; University of California Riverside 22:1.

UAA vs. UC Riverside Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UAA 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 UAA ($14,562 vs. $16,039).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Alaska Anchorage are 31.3% lower than at University of California Riverside ($14,216 vs. $20,691).
• University of California Riverside is 101.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UAA (about $7,868 more per year; $15,606.00 vs. $7,738.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 133.6% higher at UC Riverside than at University of Alaska Anchorage (about $28,484 more per year; $49,806.00 vs. $21,322.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Riverside than at University of Alaska Anchorage (76% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Riverside students is 237.3% larger than aid received by University of Alaska Anchorage students ($24,355 vs. $7,221).

UAA vs. UC Riverside Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UAA or UC Riverside? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UC Riverside and UAA.

• University of Alaska Anchorage reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresUniversity of California Riverside 1080/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresUniversity of California Riverside 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UAA - Open admission; UC Riverside - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UAA Aug 15, 2027; UC Riverside Nov 30, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman UC Riverside students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at UAA (3.39).

UAA vs. UC Riverside Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UAA and UC Riverside? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of California Riverside's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than University of Alaska Anchorage's (25%).
• Graduates from University of California Riverside earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than UAA 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 Alaska Anchorage graduates have a $405 lower median loan debt than UC Riverside graduates ($18,704 vs. $19,109).
• Among borrowers, UAA graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC Riverside graduates ($193 vs. $197).
• More UC Riverside graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UAA students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 55%)

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.