UC Riverside vs. San Diego State

Comparable Facts

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

San Diego State University is larger than UC Riverside based on total student enrollment (41,137 students vs. 26,384 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Riverside is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); San Diego State University is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Riverside is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. San Diego State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Riverside 22:1; San Diego State University 27:1.

UC Riverside vs. San Diego State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Riverside or San Diego State? 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 San Diego State ($14,562 vs. $14,704).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Riverside are 10.2% lower than at San Diego State University ($20,691 vs. $23,030).
• University of California Riverside is 78.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego State (about $6,878 more per year; $15,606.00 vs. $8,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 133.5% higher at UC Riverside than at San Diego State University (about $28,478 more per year; $49,806.00 vs. $21,328.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Riverside than at San Diego State University (76% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Riverside students is 102.1% larger than aid received by San Diego State University students ($24,355 vs. $12,053).

UC Riverside vs. San Diego State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC Riverside or San Diego State? 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 San Diego State and UC Riverside.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at San Diego State University (1200) is 20 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 San Diego State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 1080/1280; San Diego State University 1090/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 22/31; San Diego State University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Riverside - Test-free; San Diego State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Riverside Nov 30, 2026; San Diego State Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Riverside students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at San Diego State (3.82).
• UC Riverside has a higher acceptance rate (76.4%) than San Diego State (36.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at UC Riverside vs. 20.4% at San Diego State.

UC Riverside vs. San Diego State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Riverside and San Diego State? 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 San Diego State University's (66%).
• Graduates from San Diego State University earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than UC Riverside graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,400 vs. $52,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego State University graduates have a $3,760 lower median loan debt than UC Riverside graduates ($15,349 vs. $19,109).
• Among borrowers, San Diego State graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC Riverside graduates ($158 vs. $197).
• More San Diego State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Riverside students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.