UC Riverside vs. Kentucky

Comparable Facts

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

University of Kentucky is larger than UC Riverside based on total student enrollment (34,709 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 Kentucky is in Lexington, KY (Large City setting).
• University of California Riverside is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Kentucky is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Riverside 22:1; University of Kentucky 18:1.

UC Riverside vs. Kentucky Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Riverside or Kentucky? 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 Kentucky ($14,562 vs. $21,958).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Kentucky are 22.6% lower than at University of California Riverside ($16,016 vs. $20,691).
• University of California Riverside is 15.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Kentucky (about $2,104 more per year; $15,606.00 vs. $13,502.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.9% higher at UC Riverside than at University of Kentucky (about $15,666 more per year; $49,806.00 vs. $34,140.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Kentucky than at University of California Riverside (95% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Riverside students is 88.8% larger than aid received by University of Kentucky students ($24,355 vs. $12,898).

UC Riverside vs. Kentucky Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Riverside (1180) is the same as at Kentucky (1180).
• Incoming UC Riverside students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at Kentucky).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 1080/1280; University of Kentucky 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 22/31; University of Kentucky 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Riverside - Test-free; Kentucky - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Riverside Nov 30, 2026; Kentucky Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC Riverside students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Kentucky (3.59).
• Kentucky has a higher acceptance rate (92.9%) than UC Riverside (76.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at UC Riverside vs. 22.2% at Kentucky.

UC Riverside vs. Kentucky Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Riverside and Kentucky? 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 Kentucky's (59%).
• Graduates from University of California Riverside earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than Kentucky graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,200 vs. $51,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Riverside graduates have a $3,641 lower median loan debt than Kentucky graduates ($19,109 vs. $22,750).
• Among borrowers, UC Riverside graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kentucky graduates ($197 vs. $235).
• More UC Riverside graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kentucky students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 62%)

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.