UC Riverside vs. Soka University of America

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Riverside in Riverside, CA with Soka University of America in Aliso Viejo, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Riverside is larger than Soka University of America based on total student enrollment (26,384 students vs. 495 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Riverside is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); Soka University of America is in Aliso Viejo, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of California Riverside is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Soka University of America is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Riverside 22:1; Soka University of America 7:1.

UC Riverside vs. Soka University of America Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Riverside or Soka University of America? 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 Soka University of America ($14,562 vs. $15,691).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Soka University of America are 30.5% lower than at University of California Riverside ($14,378 vs. $20,691).
• Soka University of America is 148.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Riverside (about $23,122 more per year; $38,728.00 vs. $15,606.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.6% higher at UC Riverside than at Soka University of America (about $11,078 more per year; $49,806.00 vs. $38,728.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Soka University of America than at University of California Riverside (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Soka University of America students is 61.7% larger than aid received by University of California Riverside students ($39,373 vs. $24,355).

UC Riverside vs. Soka University of America Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC Riverside or Soka University of America? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Soka University of America and UC Riverside.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Soka University of America (1420) is 240 points higher than at UC Riverside (1180).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of California Riverside 1080/1280; Soka University of America 1333/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of California Riverside 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Riverside - Test-free; Soka University of America - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Riverside Nov 30, 2026; Soka University of America Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UC Riverside students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Soka University of America (3.7).
• UC Riverside has a higher acceptance rate (76.4%) than Soka University of America (43.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at UC Riverside vs. 45.8% at Soka University of America.

UC Riverside vs. Soka University of America Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Riverside and Soka University of America? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Soka University of America's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than University of California Riverside's (67%).
• Graduates from University of California Riverside have median earnings of about $52,200 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for Soka University of America.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Riverside graduates have a $3,179 lower median loan debt than Soka University of America graduates ($19,109 vs. $22,288).
• Among borrowers, UC Riverside graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Soka University of America graduates ($197 vs. $230).
• More Soka University of America graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Riverside students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.