UC Riverside vs. San Jose State

Comparable Facts

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

San Jose State University is larger than UC Riverside based on total student enrollment (37,661 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 Jose State University is in San Jose, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Riverside is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. San Jose State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Riverside 22:1; San Jose State University 25:1.

UC Riverside vs. San Jose State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Riverside or San Jose 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 San Jose State University than UC Riverside ($13,892 vs. $14,562).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Riverside are 1.3% lower than at San Jose State University ($20,691 vs. $20,971).
• University of California Riverside is 85.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Jose State (about $7,196 more per year; $15,606.00 vs. $8,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 137.1% higher at UC Riverside than at San Jose State University (about $28,796 more per year; $49,806.00 vs. $21,010.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Riverside than at San Jose State University (76% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Riverside students is 97.2% larger than aid received by San Jose State University students ($24,355 vs. $12,353).

UC Riverside vs. San Jose State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Riverside (1180) is 50 points higher than at San Jose State (1130).
• Incoming UC Riverside students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at San Jose State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 1080/1280; San Jose State University 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 22/31; San Jose State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Riverside - Test-free; San Jose State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Riverside Nov 30, 2026; San Jose State Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Riverside students have a 0.49 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at San Jose State (3.35).
• San Jose State has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than UC Riverside (76.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at UC Riverside vs. 14.7% at San Jose State.

UC Riverside vs. San Jose State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Riverside and San Jose 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 Jose State University's (46%).
• Graduates from San Jose State University earn a median of about $7,700 more per year than UC Riverside graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,900 vs. $52,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Jose State University graduates have a $4,109 lower median loan debt than UC Riverside graduates ($15,000 vs. $19,109).
• Among borrowers, San Jose State graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC Riverside graduates ($155 vs. $197).
• More San Jose State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Riverside students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.