UC Riverside vs. Simpson University

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Riverside is larger than Simpson University based on total student enrollment (26,384 students vs. 992 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Riverside is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); Simpson University is in Redding, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of California Riverside is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Simpson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Riverside 22:1; Simpson University 17:1.

UC Riverside vs. Simpson University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Riverside or Simpson 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 Simpson University ($14,562 vs. $28,653).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson University are 42.5% lower than at University of California Riverside ($11,900 vs. $20,691).
• Simpson University is 154.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Riverside (about $24,102 more per year; $39,708.00 vs. $15,606.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.4% higher at UC Riverside than at Simpson University (about $10,098 more per year; $49,806.00 vs. $39,708.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Simpson University than at University of California Riverside (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Simpson University students is 6.5% larger than aid received by University of California Riverside students ($25,937 vs. $24,355).

UC Riverside vs. Simpson University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Riverside (1180) is 110 points higher than at Simpson University (1070).
• Incoming UC Riverside students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at Simpson University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 1080/1280; Simpson University 960/1185.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 22/31; Simpson University 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Riverside - Test-free; Simpson University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Riverside Nov 30, 2026; Simpson University Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC Riverside students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Simpson University (3.4).
• Simpson University has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than UC Riverside (76.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at UC Riverside vs. 24.2% at Simpson University.

UC Riverside vs. Simpson University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Riverside and Simpson 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 Simpson University's (43%).
• Graduates from University of California Riverside earn a median of about $14,000 more per year than Simpson University graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,200 vs. $38,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Simpson University graduates have a $2,441 lower median loan debt than UC Riverside graduates ($16,668 vs. $19,109).
• Among borrowers, Simpson University graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC Riverside graduates ($172 vs. $197).
• More Simpson University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Riverside students, three years after graduation. (67% 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.