UC Riverside vs. Ohio University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Riverside in Riverside, CA with Ohio University Main Campus in Athens, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Riverside is larger than Ohio University based on total student enrollment (26,384 students vs. 26,323 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Riverside is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); Ohio University Main Campus is in Athens, OH (Distant Town setting).
• University of California Riverside is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Ohio University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Riverside 22:1; Ohio University Main Campus 18:1.

UC Riverside vs. Ohio University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Riverside or Ohio 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 Ohio University ($14,562 vs. $21,907).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ohio University Main Campus are 31.6% lower than at University of California Riverside ($14,162 vs. $20,691).
• University of California Riverside is 10.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ohio University (about $1,448 more per year; $15,606.00 vs. $14,158.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 100.5% higher at UC Riverside than at Ohio University Main Campus (about $24,968 more per year; $49,806.00 vs. $24,838.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ohio University Main Campus than at University of California Riverside (94% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Riverside students is 158.5% larger than aid received by Ohio University Main Campus students ($24,355 vs. $9,422).

UC Riverside vs. Ohio University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ohio University Main Campus (1190) is 10 points higher than at UC Riverside (1180).
• Incoming UC Riverside students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Ohio University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 1080/1280; Ohio University Main Campus 1090/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 22/31; Ohio University Main Campus 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Riverside - Test-free; Ohio University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Riverside Nov 30, 2026; Ohio University Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC Riverside students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Ohio University (3.59).
• Ohio University has a higher acceptance rate (85%) than UC Riverside (76.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at UC Riverside vs. 19.2% at Ohio University.

UC Riverside vs. Ohio University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Riverside and Ohio 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 Ohio University Main Campus's (65%).
• Graduates from University of California Riverside earn a median of about $7,700 more per year than Ohio University graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,200 vs. $44,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Riverside graduates have a $1,391 lower median loan debt than Ohio University graduates ($19,109 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, UC Riverside graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ohio University graduates ($197 vs. $211).
• More UC Riverside graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ohio University students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 51%)

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.