UC Riverside vs. WSU

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Riverside is larger than WSU based on total student enrollment (26,384 students vs. 23,803 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Riverside is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); Wayne State University is in Detroit, MI (Large City setting).
• University of California Riverside is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wayne State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Riverside 22:1; Wayne State University 14:1.

UC Riverside vs. WSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Riverside or WSU? 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 Wayne State University than UC Riverside ($14,416 vs. $14,562).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wayne State University are 31.1% lower than at University of California Riverside ($14,252 vs. $20,691).
• University of California Riverside is 2.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSU (about $416 more per year; $15,606.00 vs. $15,190.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 55.5% higher at UC Riverside than at Wayne State University (about $17,769 more per year; $49,806.00 vs. $32,037.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wayne State University than at University of California Riverside (98% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Riverside students is 88% larger than aid received by Wayne State University students ($24,355 vs. $12,953).

UC Riverside vs. WSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Riverside (1180) is 10 points higher than at WSU (1170).
• Incoming UC Riverside students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 26) as students at WSU (26).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 1080/1280; Wayne State University 1060/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 22/31; Wayne State University 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Riverside - Test-free; WSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Riverside Nov 30, 2026; WSU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC Riverside students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at WSU (3.42).
• WSU has a higher acceptance rate (81.2%) than UC Riverside (76.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at UC Riverside vs. 22.4% at WSU.

UC Riverside vs. WSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Riverside and WSU? 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 Wayne State University's (26%).
• Graduates from University of California Riverside earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than WSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,200 vs. $51,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Riverside graduates have a $3,149 lower median loan debt than WSU graduates ($19,109 vs. $22,258).
• Among borrowers, UC Riverside graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WSU graduates ($197 vs. $230).
• More UC Riverside graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 38%)

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.