UC Riverside vs. UO

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Riverside in Riverside, CA with University of Oregon in Eugene, OR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Riverside is larger than UO based on total student enrollment (26,384 students vs. 24,404 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Riverside is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); University of Oregon is in Eugene, OR (Midsize City setting).
• University of California Riverside is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Oregon is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Riverside 22:1; University of Oregon 19:1.

UC Riverside vs. UO Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Riverside or UO? 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 UO ($14,562 vs. $24,605).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Oregon are 19.7% lower than at University of California Riverside ($16,611 vs. $20,691).
• University of Oregon is 3.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Riverside (about $531 more per year; $16,137.00 vs. $15,606.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.7% higher at UC Riverside than at University of Oregon (about $5,208 more per year; $49,806.00 vs. $44,598.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Oregon than at University of California Riverside (84% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Riverside students is 154.8% larger than aid received by University of Oregon students ($24,355 vs. $9,560).

UC Riverside vs. UO Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Oregon (1250) is 70 points higher than at UC Riverside (1180).
• Incoming UC Riverside students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 26) as students at UO (26).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 1080/1280; University of Oregon 1130/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 22/31; University of Oregon 23/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Riverside - Test-free; UO - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Riverside Nov 30, 2026; UO Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC Riverside students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at UO (3.73).
• UO has a higher acceptance rate (88.3%) than UC Riverside (76.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at UC Riverside vs. 14.4% at UO.

UC Riverside vs. UO Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Riverside and UO? 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 Oregon's (66%).
• Graduates from University of California Riverside earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than UO graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,200 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Riverside graduates have a $1,992 lower median loan debt than UO graduates ($19,109 vs. $21,101).
• Among borrowers, UC Riverside graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UO graduates ($197 vs. $218).
• More UC Riverside graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UO 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.