UC Riverside vs. Colorado State

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Riverside in Riverside, CA with Colorado State University Fort Collins in Fort Collins, CO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Colorado State University Fort Collins is larger than UC Riverside based on total student enrollment (34,096 students vs. 26,384 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Riverside is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); Colorado State University Fort Collins is in Fort Collins, CO (Midsize City setting).
• University of California Riverside is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Riverside 22:1; Colorado State University Fort Collins 17:1.

UC Riverside vs. Colorado State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Riverside or Colorado State? 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 Colorado State ($14,562 vs. $21,011).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado State University Fort Collins are 18.7% lower than at University of California Riverside ($16,817 vs. $20,691).
• University of California Riverside is 16.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Colorado State (about $2,233 more per year; $15,606.00 vs. $13,373.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.2% higher at UC Riverside than at Colorado State University Fort Collins (about $15,023 more per year; $49,806.00 vs. $34,783.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Riverside than at Colorado State University Fort Collins (76% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Riverside students is 139.7% larger than aid received by Colorado State University Fort Collins students ($24,355 vs. $10,160).

UC Riverside vs. Colorado State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colorado State University Fort Collins (1190) is 10 points higher than at UC Riverside (1180).
• Incoming UC Riverside students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 26) as students at Colorado State (26).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 1080/1280; Colorado State University Fort Collins 1080/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 22/31; Colorado State University Fort Collins 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Riverside - Test-free; Colorado State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Riverside Nov 30, 2026; Colorado State Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC Riverside students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Colorado State (3.68).
• Colorado State has a higher acceptance rate (88.5%) than UC Riverside (76.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at UC Riverside vs. 16.1% at Colorado State.

UC Riverside vs. Colorado State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Riverside and Colorado State? 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 Colorado State University Fort Collins's (64%).
• Graduates from University of California Riverside earn a median of about $400 more per year than Colorado State graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,200 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Riverside graduates have a $1,895 lower median loan debt than Colorado State graduates ($19,109 vs. $21,004).
• Among borrowers, UC Riverside graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado State graduates ($197 vs. $217).
• More Colorado State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Riverside students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.