UC Riverside vs. ASU

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Riverside is larger than ASU based on total student enrollment (26,384 students vs. 21,570 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Riverside is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); Appalachian State University is in Boone, NC (Distant Town setting).
• University of California Riverside is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Appalachian State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Riverside 22:1; Appalachian State University 16:1.

UC Riverside vs. ASU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Riverside or ASU? 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. $14,978).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Appalachian State University are 37.8% lower than at University of California Riverside ($12,868 vs. $20,691).
• University of California Riverside is 105.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than ASU (about $8,027 more per year; $15,606.00 vs. $7,579.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 97.5% higher at UC Riverside than at Appalachian State University (about $24,594 more per year; $49,806.00 vs. $25,212.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Riverside than at Appalachian State University (76% vs. 46%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Riverside students is 203.9% larger than aid received by Appalachian State University students ($24,355 vs. $8,014).

UC Riverside vs. ASU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC Riverside or ASU? 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 ASU and UC Riverside.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Appalachian State University (1200) is 20 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: University of California Riverside 1080/1280; Appalachian State University 1120/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 22/31; Appalachian State University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Riverside - Test-free; ASU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Riverside Nov 30, 2026; ASU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ASU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at UC Riverside (3.84).
• ASU has a higher acceptance rate (90.1%) than UC Riverside (76.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at UC Riverside vs. 18.2% at ASU.

UC Riverside vs. ASU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Riverside and ASU? 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 Appalachian State University's (65%).
• Graduates from University of California Riverside earn a median of about $10,600 more per year than ASU graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,200 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Riverside graduates have a $1,391 lower median loan debt than ASU graduates ($19,109 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, UC Riverside graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ASU graduates ($197 vs. $211).
• More ASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Riverside students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.