UC Riverside vs. Fresno Pacific University

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Riverside is larger than Fresno Pacific University based on total student enrollment (26,384 students vs. 2,879 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Riverside is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); Fresno Pacific University is in Fresno, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Riverside is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Fresno Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Riverside 22:1; Fresno Pacific University 10:1.

UC Riverside vs. Fresno Pacific University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Riverside or Fresno Pacific University? 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 Fresno Pacific University ($14,562 vs. $15,261).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fresno Pacific University are 50.7% lower than at University of California Riverside ($10,210 vs. $20,691).
• Fresno Pacific University is 134.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Riverside (about $21,054 more per year; $36,660.00 vs. $15,606.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.9% higher at UC Riverside than at Fresno Pacific University (about $13,146 more per year; $49,806.00 vs. $36,660.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fresno Pacific University than at University of California Riverside (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fresno Pacific University students is 21.6% larger than aid received by University of California Riverside students ($29,616 vs. $24,355).

UC Riverside vs. Fresno Pacific University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC Riverside or Fresno Pacific University? 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 Fresno Pacific University and UC Riverside.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Riverside (1180) is 70 points higher than at Fresno Pacific University (1110).
• Incoming UC Riverside students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 20 at Fresno Pacific University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 1080/1280; Fresno Pacific University 970/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 22/31; Fresno Pacific University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Riverside - Test-free; Fresno Pacific University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Riverside Nov 30, 2026; Fresno Pacific University Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC Riverside students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Fresno Pacific University (3.54).
• UC Riverside has a higher acceptance rate (76.4%) than Fresno Pacific University (64.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at UC Riverside vs. 17.3% at Fresno Pacific University.

UC Riverside vs. Fresno Pacific University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Riverside and Fresno Pacific University? 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 Fresno Pacific University's (50%).
• Graduates from University of California Riverside earn a median of about $8,600 more per year than Fresno Pacific University graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,200 vs. $43,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Riverside graduates have a $2,391 lower median loan debt than Fresno Pacific University graduates ($19,109 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, UC Riverside graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fresno Pacific University graduates ($197 vs. $222).
• More UC Riverside graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fresno Pacific University students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 53%)

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.