UC Riverside vs. UCF

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Riverside in Riverside, CA with University of Central Florida in Orlando, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Central Florida is larger than UC Riverside based on total student enrollment (69,713 students vs. 26,384 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Riverside is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); University of Central Florida is in Orlando, FL (Large Suburban setting).
• University of California Riverside is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Central Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Riverside 22:1; University of Central Florida 28:1.

UC Riverside vs. UCF Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Riverside or UCF? 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 Central Florida than UC Riverside ($13,351 vs. $14,562).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Florida are 39.8% lower than at University of California Riverside ($12,452 vs. $20,691).
• University of California Riverside is 145.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCF (about $9,238 more per year; $15,606.00 vs. $6,368.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 121.7% higher at UC Riverside than at University of Central Florida (about $27,339 more per year; $49,806.00 vs. $22,467.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Central Florida than at University of California Riverside (86% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Riverside students is 151% larger than aid received by University of Central Florida students ($24,355 vs. $9,704).

UC Riverside vs. UCF Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Central Florida (1280) is 100 points higher than at UC Riverside (1180).
• Incoming UCF students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at UC Riverside).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 1080/1280; University of Central Florida 1200/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 22/31; University of Central Florida 25/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Riverside - Test-free; UCF - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Riverside Nov 30, 2026; UCF May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC Riverside students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at UCF (3.64).
• UC Riverside has a higher acceptance rate (76.4%) than UCF (40.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at UC Riverside vs. 33.5% at UCF.

UC Riverside vs. UCF Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Riverside and UCF? 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 University of Central Florida's (63%).
• Graduates from University of California Riverside earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than UCF graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,200 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Florida graduates have a $839 lower median loan debt than UC Riverside graduates ($18,270 vs. $19,109).
• Among borrowers, UCF graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC Riverside graduates ($188 vs. $197).
• More UC Riverside graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCF students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 59%)

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.