UC Riverside vs. Utah

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Riverside in Riverside, CA with University of Utah in Salt Lake City, UT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Utah is larger than UC Riverside based on total student enrollment (36,894 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 Utah is in Salt Lake City, UT (Midsize City setting).
• University of California Riverside is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Utah is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Riverside 22:1; University of Utah 19:1.

UC Riverside vs. Utah Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Riverside or Utah? 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 Utah ($14,562 vs. $16,583).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Utah are 35.6% lower than at University of California Riverside ($13,315 vs. $20,691).
• University of California Riverside is 62.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Utah (about $5,986 more per year; $15,606.00 vs. $9,620.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 61.4% higher at UC Riverside than at University of Utah (about $18,946 more per year; $49,806.00 vs. $30,860.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Riverside than at University of Utah (76% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Riverside students is 91.1% larger than aid received by University of Utah students ($24,355 vs. $12,744).

UC Riverside vs. Utah Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Utah (1290) is 110 points higher than at UC Riverside (1180).
• Incoming UC Riverside students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Utah).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 1080/1280; University of Utah 1190/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 22/31; University of Utah 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Riverside - Test-free; Utah - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Riverside Nov 30, 2026; Utah Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC Riverside students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Utah (3.64).
• Utah has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than UC Riverside (76.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at UC Riverside vs. 26% at Utah.

UC Riverside vs. Utah Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Riverside and Utah? 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 Utah's (55%).
• Graduates from University of Utah earn a median of about $9,100 more per year than UC Riverside graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,300 vs. $52,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Utah graduates have a $4,109 lower median loan debt than UC Riverside graduates ($15,000 vs. $19,109).
• Among borrowers, Utah graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC Riverside graduates ($155 vs. $197).
• More Utah graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Riverside students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.