UC Riverside vs. Texas Tech

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Riverside in Riverside, CA with Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Texas Tech University is larger than UC Riverside based on total student enrollment (40,757 students vs. 26,384 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Riverside is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); Texas Tech University is in Lubbock, TX (Midsize City setting).
• University of California Riverside is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas Tech University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Riverside 22:1; Texas Tech University 20:1.

UC Riverside vs. Texas Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Riverside or Texas Tech? 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 Texas Tech ($14,562 vs. $16,919).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Texas Tech University are 48.1% lower than at University of California Riverside ($10,742 vs. $20,691).
• University of California Riverside is 31.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Texas Tech (about $3,754 more per year; $15,606.00 vs. $11,852.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 103.7% higher at UC Riverside than at Texas Tech University (about $25,355 more per year; $49,806.00 vs. $24,451.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas Tech University than at University of California Riverside (79% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Riverside students is 132.1% larger than aid received by Texas Tech University students ($24,355 vs. $10,494).

UC Riverside vs. Texas Tech Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Texas Tech University (1190) is 10 points higher than at UC Riverside (1180).
• Incoming UC Riverside students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Texas Tech).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 1080/1280; Texas Tech University 1090/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 22/31; Texas Tech University 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Riverside - Test-free; Texas Tech - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Riverside Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Riverside students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Texas Tech (3.76).
• UC Riverside has a higher acceptance rate (76.4%) than Texas Tech (72.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at UC Riverside vs. 27.1% at Texas Tech.

UC Riverside vs. Texas Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Riverside and Texas Tech? 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 Texas Tech University's (61%).
• Graduates from Texas Tech University earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than UC Riverside graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,500 vs. $52,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Riverside graduates have a $3,391 lower median loan debt than Texas Tech graduates ($19,109 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, UC Riverside graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Texas Tech graduates ($197 vs. $232).
• More Texas Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Riverside students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.