UC Riverside vs. Louisville

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Riverside in Riverside, CA with University of Louisville in Louisville, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Riverside is larger than Louisville based on total student enrollment (26,384 students vs. 23,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UC Riverside vs. Louisville Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Riverside or Louisville? 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 Louisville ($14,562 vs. $19,785).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Louisville are 39.2% lower than at University of California Riverside ($12,576 vs. $20,691).
• University of California Riverside is 18.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Louisville (about $2,470 more per year; $15,606.00 vs. $13,136.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 68.9% higher at UC Riverside than at University of Louisville (about $20,324 more per year; $49,806.00 vs. $29,482.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisville than at University of California Riverside (98% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Riverside students is 65.9% larger than aid received by University of Louisville students ($24,355 vs. $14,677).

UC Riverside vs. Louisville Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Riverside (1180) is 20 points higher than at Louisville (1160).
• Incoming UC Riverside students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at Louisville).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 1080/1280; University of Louisville 1040/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 22/31; University of Louisville 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Riverside - Test-free; Louisville - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Riverside Nov 30, 2026; Louisville Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC Riverside students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Louisville (3.64).
• Louisville has a higher acceptance rate (79.4%) than UC Riverside (76.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at UC Riverside vs. 25.1% at Louisville.

UC Riverside vs. Louisville Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Riverside and Louisville? 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 Louisville's (51%).
• Graduates from University of California Riverside earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than Louisville graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,200 vs. $45,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Riverside graduates have a $547 lower median loan debt than Louisville graduates ($19,109 vs. $19,656).
• Among borrowers, UC Riverside graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Louisville graduates ($197 vs. $203).
• More UC Riverside graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Louisville students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 58%)

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.