UC Riverside vs. PUC

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Riverside is larger than PUC based on total student enrollment (26,384 students vs. 974 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UC Riverside vs. PUC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Riverside or PUC? 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 PUC ($14,562 vs. $22,767).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Union College are 52.6% lower than at University of California Riverside ($9,816 vs. $20,691).
• Pacific Union College is 138.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Riverside (about $21,567 more per year; $37,173.00 vs. $15,606.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34% higher at UC Riverside than at Pacific Union College (about $12,633 more per year; $49,806.00 vs. $37,173.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pacific Union College than at University of California Riverside (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Union College students is 9.3% larger than aid received by University of California Riverside students ($26,629 vs. $24,355).

UC Riverside vs. PUC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC Riverside or PUC? 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 PUC and UC Riverside.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Riverside (1180) is 120 points higher than at PUC (1060).
• Incoming UC Riverside students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at PUC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 1080/1280; Pacific Union College 930/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 22/31; Pacific Union College 20/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Riverside - Test-free; PUC - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Riverside Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Riverside students have a 0.6 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at PUC (3.24).
• UC Riverside has a higher acceptance rate (76.4%) than PUC (47.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at UC Riverside vs. 14% at PUC.

UC Riverside vs. PUC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Riverside and PUC? 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 Pacific Union College's (45%).
• Graduates from Pacific Union College earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than UC Riverside graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,200 vs. $52,200), 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 PUC graduates ($19,109 vs. $30,000).
• Among borrowers, UC Riverside graduates have an estimated $113 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PUC graduates ($197 vs. $310).
• More UC Riverside graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PUC students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 57%)

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.