UC Riverside vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Riverside in Riverside, CA with Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Virginia Commonwealth University is larger than UC Riverside based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 26,384 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UC Riverside vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Riverside or VCU? 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 VCU ($14,562 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Commonwealth University are 11.8% lower than at University of California Riverside ($18,254 vs. $20,691).
• Virginia Commonwealth University is 8.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Riverside (about $1,339 more per year; $16,945.00 vs. $15,606.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.2% higher at UC Riverside than at Virginia Commonwealth University (about $9,697 more per year; $49,806.00 vs. $40,109.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Commonwealth University than at University of California Riverside (88% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Riverside students is 71.7% larger than aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students ($24,355 vs. $14,186).

UC Riverside vs. VCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Riverside (1180) is 40 points higher than at VCU (1140).
• Incoming UC Riverside students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 26) as students at VCU (26).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 1080/1280; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 22/31; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Riverside - Test-free; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Riverside Nov 30, 2026; VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC Riverside students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at VCU (3.75).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than UC Riverside (76.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at UC Riverside vs. 21.6% at VCU.

UC Riverside vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Riverside and VCU? 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 Virginia Commonwealth University's (53%).
• Graduates from University of California Riverside earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than VCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,200 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Riverside graduates have a $4,141 lower median loan debt than VCU graduates ($19,109 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, UC Riverside graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VCU graduates ($197 vs. $240).
• More UC Riverside graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 56%)

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.