UC Riverside vs. Utah State University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Riverside in Riverside, CA with Utah State University in Logan, UT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Utah State University is larger than UC Riverside based on total student enrollment (28,904 students vs. 26,384 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Riverside is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); Utah State University is in Logan, UT (Small City setting).
• University of California Riverside is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Utah State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Riverside 22:1; Utah State University 19:1.

UC Riverside vs. Utah State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Riverside or Utah State University? 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 Utah State University ($14,562 vs. $15,788).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Utah State University are 56.1% lower than at University of California Riverside ($9,076 vs. $20,691).
• University of California Riverside is 69.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Utah State University (about $6,378 more per year; $15,606.00 vs. $9,228.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 100.8% higher at UC Riverside than at Utah State University (about $25,004 more per year; $49,806.00 vs. $24,802.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Utah State University than at University of California Riverside (90% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Riverside students is 180.4% larger than aid received by Utah State University students ($24,355 vs. $8,685).

UC Riverside vs. Utah State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC Riverside or Utah State University? 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 Utah State University and UC Riverside.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Riverside (1180) is the same as at Utah State University (1180).
• Incoming UC Riverside students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at Utah State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 1080/1280; Utah State University 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 22/31; Utah State University 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Riverside - Test-free; Utah State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Riverside Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Riverside students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Utah State University (3.63).
• Utah State University has a higher acceptance rate (92.5%) than UC Riverside (76.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at UC Riverside vs. 23.8% at Utah State University.

UC Riverside vs. Utah State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Riverside and Utah State University? 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 Utah State University's (52%).
• Graduates from University of California Riverside earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than Utah State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,200 vs. $48,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Utah State University graduates have a $5,499 lower median loan debt than UC Riverside graduates ($13,610 vs. $19,109).
• Among borrowers, Utah State University graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC Riverside graduates ($140 vs. $197).
• More Utah State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Riverside students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.