UC Riverside vs. SCU

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Riverside is larger than SCU based on total student enrollment (26,384 students vs. 9,728 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Riverside is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); Santa Clara University is in Santa Clara, CA (Midsize City setting).
• University of California Riverside is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Santa Clara University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Riverside 22:1; Santa Clara University 11:1.

UC Riverside vs. SCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Riverside or SCU? 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 SCU ($14,562 vs. $53,883).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Santa Clara University are 3.9% lower than at University of California Riverside ($19,893 vs. $20,691).
• Santa Clara University is 292.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Riverside (about $45,687 more per year; $61,293.00 vs. $15,606.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.1% higher at SCU than at University of California Riverside (about $11,487 more per year; $61,293.00 vs. $49,806.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Riverside than at Santa Clara University (76% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Santa Clara University students is 16.5% larger than aid received by University of California Riverside students ($28,368 vs. $24,355).

UC Riverside vs. SCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Santa Clara University (1420) is 240 points higher than at UC Riverside (1180).
• Incoming SCU students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 26 at UC Riverside).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 1080/1280; Santa Clara University 1350/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 22/31; Santa Clara University 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Riverside - Test-free; SCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Riverside Nov 30, 2026; SCU Jan 7, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC Riverside students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at SCU (3.67).
• UC Riverside has a higher acceptance rate (76.4%) than SCU (48%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at UC Riverside vs. 17.7% at SCU.

UC Riverside vs. SCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Riverside and SCU? 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).

• Santa Clara University's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than University of California Riverside's (67%).
• Graduates from Santa Clara University earn a median of about $29,700 more per year than UC Riverside graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,900 vs. $52,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Riverside graduates have a $2,391 lower median loan debt than SCU graduates ($19,109 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, UC Riverside graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCU graduates ($197 vs. $222).
• More SCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Riverside students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.