UC Riverside vs. Southern Utah University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Riverside in Riverside, CA with Southern Utah University in Cedar City, UT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Riverside is larger than Southern Utah University based on total student enrollment (26,384 students vs. 15,444 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Riverside is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); Southern Utah University is in Cedar City, UT (Remote Town setting).
• University of California Riverside is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Utah University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Riverside 22:1; Southern Utah University 22:1.

UC Riverside vs. Southern Utah University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Riverside or Southern Utah 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 Southern Utah University than UC Riverside ($11,840 vs. $14,562).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Utah University are 55.4% lower than at University of California Riverside ($9,236 vs. $20,691).
• University of California Riverside is 124.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southern Utah University (about $8,644 more per year; $15,606.00 vs. $6,962.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 135% higher at UC Riverside than at Southern Utah University (about $28,614 more per year; $49,806.00 vs. $21,192.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Utah University than at University of California Riverside (94% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Riverside students is 149.1% larger than aid received by Southern Utah University students ($24,355 vs. $9,779).

UC Riverside vs. Southern Utah University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Riverside (1180) is 40 points higher than at Southern Utah University (1140).
• Incoming UC Riverside students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at Southern Utah University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 1080/1280; Southern Utah University 1030/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 22/31; Southern Utah University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Riverside - Test-free; Southern Utah University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Riverside Nov 30, 2026; Southern Utah University Sep 8, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Riverside students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Southern Utah University (3.58).
• Southern Utah University has a higher acceptance rate (81.8%) than UC Riverside (76.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at UC Riverside vs. 13.7% at Southern Utah University.

UC Riverside vs. Southern Utah University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Riverside and Southern Utah 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 Southern Utah University's (35%).
• Graduates from University of California Riverside earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than Southern Utah University graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,200 vs. $43,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Utah University graduates have a $6,534 lower median loan debt than UC Riverside graduates ($12,575 vs. $19,109).
• Among borrowers, Southern Utah University graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC Riverside graduates ($130 vs. $197).
• More Southern Utah University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Riverside students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.