UC Riverside vs. USF

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Riverside is larger than USF based on total student enrollment (26,384 students vs. 8,913 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Riverside is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); University of San Francisco is in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Riverside is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of San Francisco is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Riverside 22:1; University of San Francisco 11:1.

UC Riverside vs. USF Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Riverside or USF? 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 USF ($14,562 vs. $45,443).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of San Francisco are 4.5% lower than at University of California Riverside ($19,764 vs. $20,691).
• University of San Francisco is 287.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Riverside (about $44,886 more per year; $60,492.00 vs. $15,606.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.5% higher at USF than at University of California Riverside (about $10,686 more per year; $60,492.00 vs. $49,806.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of San Francisco than at University of California Riverside (95% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of San Francisco students is 42.6% larger than aid received by University of California Riverside students ($34,723 vs. $24,355).

UC Riverside vs. USF Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of San Francisco (1290) is 110 points higher than at UC Riverside (1180).
• Incoming USF students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at UC Riverside).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 1080/1280; University of San Francisco 1190/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 22/31; University of San Francisco 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Riverside - Test-free; USF - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Riverside Nov 30, 2026; USF Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC Riverside students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at USF (3.57).
• UC Riverside has a higher acceptance rate (76.4%) than USF (61.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at UC Riverside vs. 6% at USF.

UC Riverside vs. USF Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Riverside and USF? 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 San Francisco's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than University of California Riverside's (67%).
• Graduates from University of San Francisco earn a median of about $18,200 more per year than UC Riverside graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,400 vs. $52,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Riverside graduates have a $5,891 lower median loan debt than USF graduates ($19,109 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UC Riverside graduates have an estimated $61 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USF graduates ($197 vs. $258).
• More USF graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Riverside students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.