UC Riverside vs. Westmont College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Riverside in Riverside, CA with Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Riverside is larger than Westmont College based on total student enrollment (26,384 students vs. 1,310 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Riverside is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); Westmont College is in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• University of California Riverside is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Westmont College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Riverside 22:1; Westmont College 10:1.

UC Riverside vs. Westmont College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Riverside or Westmont College? 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 Westmont College ($14,562 vs. $32,172).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Westmont College are 18% lower than at University of California Riverside ($16,960 vs. $20,691).
• Westmont College is 243.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Riverside (about $37,978 more per year; $53,584.00 vs. $15,606.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.6% higher at Westmont College than at University of California Riverside (about $3,778 more per year; $53,584.00 vs. $49,806.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Westmont College than at University of California Riverside (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Westmont College students is 60% larger than aid received by University of California Riverside students ($38,956 vs. $24,355).

UC Riverside vs. Westmont College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Westmont College (1350) is 170 points higher than at UC Riverside (1180).
• Incoming Westmont College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at UC Riverside).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 1080/1280; Westmont College 1240/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 22/31; Westmont College 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Riverside - Test-free; Westmont College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Riverside Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Riverside students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Westmont College (3.59).
• Westmont College has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than UC Riverside (76.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at UC Riverside vs. 15.9% at Westmont College.

UC Riverside vs. Westmont College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Riverside and Westmont College? 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).

• Westmont College's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than University of California Riverside's (67%).
• Graduates from Westmont College earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than UC Riverside graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,600 vs. $52,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Riverside graduates have a $6,014 lower median loan debt than Westmont College graduates ($19,109 vs. $25,123).
• Among borrowers, UC Riverside graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Westmont College graduates ($197 vs. $259).
• More Westmont College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Riverside students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.