UC Riverside vs. Chapman

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Riverside is larger than Chapman based on total student enrollment (26,384 students vs. 9,760 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Riverside is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); Chapman University is in Orange, CA (Midsize City setting).
• University of California Riverside is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Chapman University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Riverside 22:1; Chapman University 12:1.

UC Riverside vs. Chapman Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Riverside or Chapman? 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 Chapman ($14,562 vs. $47,902).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chapman University are 13.9% lower than at University of California Riverside ($17,814 vs. $20,691).
• Chapman University is 316.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Riverside (about $49,378 more per year; $64,984.00 vs. $15,606.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.5% higher at Chapman than at University of California Riverside (about $15,178 more per year; $64,984.00 vs. $49,806.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chapman University than at University of California Riverside (88% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chapman University students is 45.5% larger than aid received by University of California Riverside students ($35,434 vs. $24,355).

UC Riverside vs. Chapman Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Chapman University (1350) is 170 points higher than at UC Riverside (1180).
• Incoming Chapman students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 26 at UC Riverside).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 1080/1280; Chapman University 1260/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 22/31; Chapman University 28/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Riverside - Test-free; Chapman - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Riverside Nov 30, 2026; Chapman Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC Riverside students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Chapman (3.7).
• UC Riverside has a higher acceptance rate (76.4%) than Chapman (65.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at UC Riverside vs. 15.9% at Chapman.

UC Riverside vs. Chapman Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Riverside and Chapman? 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).

• Chapman University's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than University of California Riverside's (67%).
• Graduates from Chapman University earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than UC Riverside graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,100 vs. $52,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Riverside graduates have a $1,829 lower median loan debt than Chapman graduates ($19,109 vs. $20,938).
• Among borrowers, UC Riverside graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Chapman graduates ($197 vs. $216).
• More UC Riverside graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Chapman students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.