UC Riverside vs. Missouri State University-Springfield

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Riverside in Riverside, CA with Missouri State University Springfield in Springfield, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Riverside is larger than Missouri State University-Springfield based on total student enrollment (26,384 students vs. 24,360 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Riverside is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); Missouri State University Springfield is in Springfield, MO (Midsize City setting).
• University of California Riverside is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Missouri State University Springfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Riverside 22:1; Missouri State University Springfield 21:1.

UC Riverside vs. Missouri State University-Springfield Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Riverside or Missouri State University-Springfield? 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 Missouri State University-Springfield ($14,562 vs. $17,181).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Missouri State University Springfield are 46.8% lower than at University of California Riverside ($11,006 vs. $20,691).
• University of California Riverside is 64.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Missouri State University-Springfield (about $6,104 more per year; $15,606.00 vs. $9,502.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 165.3% higher at UC Riverside than at Missouri State University Springfield (about $31,036 more per year; $49,806.00 vs. $18,770.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Missouri State University Springfield than at University of California Riverside (90% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Riverside students is 177.7% larger than aid received by Missouri State University Springfield students ($24,355 vs. $8,770).

UC Riverside vs. Missouri State University-Springfield Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC Riverside or Missouri State University-Springfield? 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 Missouri State University-Springfield and UC Riverside.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Riverside (1180) is 30 points higher than at Missouri State University-Springfield (1150).
• Incoming UC Riverside students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at Missouri State University-Springfield).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 1080/1280; Missouri State University Springfield 1020/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 22/31; Missouri State University Springfield 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Riverside - Test-free; Missouri State University-Springfield - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Riverside Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Riverside students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Missouri State University-Springfield (3.73).
• Missouri State University-Springfield has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than UC Riverside (76.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at UC Riverside vs. 25.6% at Missouri State University-Springfield.

UC Riverside vs. Missouri State University-Springfield Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Riverside and Missouri State University-Springfield? 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 Missouri State University Springfield's (55%).
• Graduates from University of California Riverside earn a median of about $10,100 more per year than Missouri State University-Springfield graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,200 vs. $42,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Riverside graduates have a $3,391 lower median loan debt than Missouri State University-Springfield graduates ($19,109 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, UC Riverside graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Missouri State University-Springfield graduates ($197 vs. $232).
• More Missouri State University-Springfield graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Riverside students, three years after graduation. (67% 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.