UC Riverside vs. Concordia University-Irvine

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Riverside is larger than Concordia University-Irvine based on total student enrollment (26,384 students vs. 3,658 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Riverside is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); Concordia University Irvine is in Irvine, CA (Midsize City setting).
• University of California Riverside is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Concordia University Irvine is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Riverside 22:1; Concordia University Irvine 13:1.

UC Riverside vs. Concordia University-Irvine Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Riverside or Concordia University-Irvine? 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 Concordia University-Irvine ($14,562 vs. $29,845).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Concordia University Irvine are 31% lower than at University of California Riverside ($14,270 vs. $20,691).
• Concordia University Irvine is 178.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Riverside (about $27,874 more per year; $43,480.00 vs. $15,606.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.5% higher at UC Riverside than at Concordia University Irvine (about $6,326 more per year; $49,806.00 vs. $43,480.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Concordia University Irvine than at University of California Riverside (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Concordia University Irvine students is 18.9% larger than aid received by University of California Riverside students ($28,966 vs. $24,355).

UC Riverside vs. Concordia University-Irvine Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC Riverside or Concordia University-Irvine? 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 Concordia University-Irvine and UC Riverside.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Riverside (1180) is 30 points higher than at Concordia University-Irvine (1150).
• Incoming UC Riverside students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Concordia University-Irvine).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 1080/1280; Concordia University Irvine 1030/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 22/31; Concordia University Irvine 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Riverside - Test-free; Concordia University-Irvine - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Riverside Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Riverside students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Concordia University-Irvine (3.61).
• UC Riverside has a higher acceptance rate (76.4%) than Concordia University-Irvine (66%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at UC Riverside vs. 11.6% at Concordia University-Irvine.

UC Riverside vs. Concordia University-Irvine Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Riverside and Concordia University-Irvine? 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 Concordia University Irvine's (51%).
• Graduates from University of California Riverside earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than Concordia University-Irvine graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,200 vs. $48,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Riverside graduates have a $3,569 lower median loan debt than Concordia University-Irvine graduates ($19,109 vs. $22,678).
• Among borrowers, UC Riverside graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Concordia University-Irvine graduates ($197 vs. $234).
• More Concordia University-Irvine graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Riverside students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.