UC Riverside vs. KU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Kansas is larger than UC Riverside based on total student enrollment (29,792 students vs. 26,384 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Riverside is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); University of Kansas is in Lawrence, KS (Small City setting).
• University of California Riverside is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Kansas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Riverside 22:1; University of Kansas 18:1.

UC Riverside vs. KU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Riverside or KU? 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 KU ($14,562 vs. $19,205).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Kansas are 45.1% lower than at University of California Riverside ($11,358 vs. $20,691).
• University of California Riverside is 29% more expensive for in-state tuition than KU (about $3,504 more per year; $15,606.00 vs. $12,102.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 63.7% higher at UC Riverside than at University of Kansas (about $19,374 more per year; $49,806.00 vs. $30,432.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Kansas than at University of California Riverside (91% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Riverside students is 111% larger than aid received by University of Kansas students ($24,355 vs. $11,541).

UC Riverside vs. KU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Kansas (1190) is 10 points higher than at UC Riverside (1180).
• Incoming UC Riverside students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at KU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 1080/1280; University of Kansas 1070/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 22/31; University of Kansas 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Riverside - Test-free; KU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Riverside Nov 30, 2026; KU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC Riverside students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at KU (3.66).
• KU has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) than UC Riverside (76.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at UC Riverside vs. 25.5% at KU.

UC Riverside vs. KU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Riverside and KU? 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 University of Kansas's (61%).
• Graduates from University of Kansas earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than UC Riverside graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,600 vs. $52,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Riverside graduates have a $1,391 lower median loan debt than KU graduates ($19,109 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, UC Riverside graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than KU graduates ($197 vs. $211).
• More KU 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.