UC Riverside vs. La Sierra University

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Riverside is larger than La Sierra University based on total student enrollment (26,384 students vs. 1,574 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UC Riverside vs. La Sierra University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Riverside or La Sierra 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 La Sierra University ($14,562 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at La Sierra University are 35.1% lower than at University of California Riverside ($13,431 vs. $20,691).
• La Sierra University is 141.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Riverside (about $22,104 more per year; $37,710.00 vs. $15,606.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.1% higher at UC Riverside than at La Sierra University (about $12,096 more per year; $49,806.00 vs. $37,710.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at La Sierra University than at University of California Riverside (98% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by La Sierra University students is 13.5% larger than aid received by University of California Riverside students ($27,646 vs. $24,355).

UC Riverside vs. La Sierra University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC Riverside or La Sierra 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 La Sierra University and UC Riverside.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Riverside (1180) is 170 points higher than at La Sierra University (1010).
• Incoming UC Riverside students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at La Sierra University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 1080/1280; La Sierra University 880/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 22/31; La Sierra University 18/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Riverside - Test-free; La Sierra University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Riverside Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Riverside students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at La Sierra University (3.54).
• La Sierra University has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than UC Riverside (76.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at UC Riverside vs. 13.3% at La Sierra University.

UC Riverside vs. La Sierra University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Riverside and La Sierra 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 La Sierra University's (32%).
• Graduates from University of California Riverside earn a median of about $300 more per year than La Sierra University graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,200 vs. $51,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Riverside graduates have a $10,891 lower median loan debt than La Sierra University graduates ($19,109 vs. $30,000).
• Among borrowers, UC Riverside graduates have an estimated $113 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than La Sierra University graduates ($197 vs. $310).
• More UC Riverside graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former La Sierra University students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 52%)

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.