UC Riverside vs. San Diego Christian College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Riverside in Riverside, CA with San Diego Christian College in Santee, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Riverside is larger than San Diego Christian College based on total student enrollment (26,384 students vs. 96 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Riverside is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); San Diego Christian College is in Santee, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of California Riverside is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. San Diego Christian College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Riverside 22:1; San Diego Christian College 9:1.

UC Riverside vs. San Diego Christian College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Riverside or San Diego Christian 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 San Diego Christian College ($14,562 vs. $21,199).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at San Diego Christian College are 46.5% lower than at University of California Riverside ($11,080 vs. $20,691).
• San Diego Christian College is 79.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Riverside (about $12,406 more per year; $28,012.00 vs. $15,606.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 77.8% higher at UC Riverside than at San Diego Christian College (about $21,794 more per year; $49,806.00 vs. $28,012.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Diego Christian College than at University of California Riverside (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Riverside students is 31.1% larger than aid received by San Diego Christian College students ($24,355 vs. $18,584).

UC Riverside vs. San Diego Christian College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC Riverside or San Diego Christian 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 San Diego Christian College and UC Riverside.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Riverside (1180) is 180 points higher than at San Diego Christian College (1000).
• Incoming UC Riverside students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 21 at San Diego Christian College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 1080/1280; San Diego Christian College 900/1098.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 22/31; San Diego Christian College 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Riverside - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); San Diego Christian College - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Riverside Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Riverside students have a 0.58 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at San Diego Christian College (3.26).
• UC Riverside has a higher acceptance rate (76.4%) than San Diego Christian College (30.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at UC Riverside vs. 15.8% at San Diego Christian College.

UC Riverside vs. San Diego Christian College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Riverside and San Diego Christian 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).

• University of California Riverside's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than San Diego Christian College's (31%).
• Graduates from University of California Riverside earn a median of about $12,700 more per year than San Diego Christian College graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,200 vs. $39,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Riverside graduates have a $3,997 lower median loan debt than San Diego Christian College graduates ($19,109 vs. $23,106).
• Among borrowers, UC Riverside graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Diego Christian College graduates ($197 vs. $238).
• More UC Riverside graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego Christian College students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 47%)

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.