UC Riverside vs. University of Nevada-Reno

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Riverside in Riverside, CA with University of Nevada Reno in Reno, NV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Riverside is larger than University of Nevada-Reno based on total student enrollment (26,384 students vs. 23,024 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Riverside is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); University of Nevada Reno is in Reno, NV (Midsize City setting).
• University of California Riverside is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Nevada Reno is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Riverside 22:1; University of Nevada Reno 17:1.

UC Riverside vs. University of Nevada-Reno Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Riverside or University of Nevada-Reno? 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 University of Nevada-Reno ($14,562 vs. $17,226).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Nevada Reno are 29.9% lower than at University of California Riverside ($14,496 vs. $20,691).
• University of California Riverside is 62.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Nevada-Reno (about $6,028 more per year; $15,606.00 vs. $9,578.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 79.7% higher at UC Riverside than at University of Nevada Reno (about $22,086 more per year; $49,806.00 vs. $27,720.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Nevada Reno than at University of California Riverside (93% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Riverside students is 230.2% larger than aid received by University of Nevada Reno students ($24,355 vs. $7,375).

UC Riverside vs. University of Nevada-Reno Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC Riverside or University of Nevada-Reno? 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 University of Nevada-Reno and UC Riverside.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Riverside (1180) is the same as at University of Nevada-Reno (1180).
• Incoming UC Riverside students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at University of Nevada-Reno).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 1080/1280; University of Nevada Reno 1060/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 22/31; University of Nevada Reno 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Riverside - Test-free; University of Nevada-Reno - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Riverside Nov 30, 2026; University of Nevada-Reno Apr 7, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC Riverside students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at University of Nevada-Reno (3.4).
• UC Riverside has a higher acceptance rate (76.4%) than University of Nevada-Reno (73.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at UC Riverside vs. 26.5% at University of Nevada-Reno.

UC Riverside vs. University of Nevada-Reno Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Riverside and University of Nevada-Reno? 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 Nevada Reno's (51%).
• Graduates from University of Nevada Reno earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than UC Riverside graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,400 vs. $52,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Nevada Reno graduates have a $308 lower median loan debt than UC Riverside graduates ($18,801 vs. $19,109).
• Among borrowers, University of Nevada-Reno graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC Riverside graduates ($194 vs. $197).
• More UC Riverside graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Nevada-Reno students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 64%)

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.