UC Berkeley vs. UC Riverside

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Berkeley in Berkeley, 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 Berkeley is larger than UC Riverside based on total student enrollment (45,882 students vs. 26,384 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Berkeley is located in Berkeley, CA (Midsize City setting); University of California Riverside is in Riverside, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Berkeley 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 California Berkeley 18:1; University of California Riverside 22:1.

UC Berkeley vs. UC Riverside Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Berkeley 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 UC Berkeley ($14,562 vs. $16,538).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Riverside are 12.9% lower than at University of California Berkeley ($20,691 vs. $23,750).
• University of California Berkeley is 4.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Riverside (about $741 more per year; $16,347.00 vs. $15,606.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.5% higher at UC Berkeley than at University of California Riverside (about $741 more per year; $50,547.00 vs. $49,806.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Riverside than at University of California Berkeley (76% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Berkeley students is 21.6% larger than aid received by University of California Riverside students ($29,608 vs. $24,355).

UC Berkeley vs. UC Riverside Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC Berkeley 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 UC Berkeley.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Berkeley (1420) is 240 points higher than at UC Riverside (1180).
• Incoming UC Berkeley students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 26 at UC Riverside).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 1310/1530; University of California Riverside 1080/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 30/35; University of California Riverside 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Berkeley - Test-free; UC Riverside - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Berkeley Nov 30, 2026; UC Riverside Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Berkeley students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at UC Riverside (3.84).
• UC Riverside has a higher acceptance rate (76.4%) than UC Berkeley (11%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46% at UC Berkeley vs. 12.2% at UC Riverside.

UC Berkeley vs. UC Riverside Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Berkeley 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 Berkeley's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than University of California Riverside's (67%).
• Graduates from University of California Berkeley earn a median of about $22,500 more per year than UC Riverside graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,700 vs. $52,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Berkeley graduates have a $4,909 lower median loan debt than UC Riverside graduates ($14,200 vs. $19,109).
• Among borrowers, UC Berkeley graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC Riverside graduates ($146 vs. $197).
• More UC Berkeley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Riverside students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.