UC Riverside vs. USC

Comparable Facts

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

University of Southern California is larger than UC Riverside based on total student enrollment (46,566 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 Southern California is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Riverside is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Southern California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Riverside 22:1; University of Southern California 9:1.

UC Riverside vs. USC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Riverside or USC? 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 USC ($14,562 vs. $43,412).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Southern California are 3.7% lower than at University of California Riverside ($19,931 vs. $20,691).
• University of Southern California is 362% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Riverside (about $56,491 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $15,606.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44.8% higher at USC than at University of California Riverside (about $22,291 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $49,806.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Riverside than at University of Southern California (76% vs. 70%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Southern California students is 92.6% larger than aid received by University of California Riverside students ($46,897 vs. $24,355).

UC Riverside vs. USC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Southern California (1500) is 320 points higher than at UC Riverside (1180).
• Incoming USC students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 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 Southern California 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 22/31; University of Southern California 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Riverside - Test-free; USC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Riverside Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Riverside students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at USC (3.83).
• UC Riverside has a higher acceptance rate (76.4%) than USC (9.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at UC Riverside vs. 43.3% at USC.

UC Riverside vs. USC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Riverside and USC? 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 Southern California's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than University of California Riverside's (67%).
• Graduates from University of Southern California earn a median of about $33,300 more per year than UC Riverside graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,500 vs. $52,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Riverside graduates have a $3,266 lower median loan debt than USC graduates ($19,109 vs. $22,375).
• Among borrowers, UC Riverside graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC graduates ($197 vs. $231).
• More USC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Riverside students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.