UC Riverside vs SJSU: cost, admissions and outcomes compared
Verified federal figures for University of California-Riverside and San Jose State University, side by side. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
UC Riverside vs SJSU at a glance
UC Riverside admits 76.4% of applicants and SJSU 84.6% (CollegesRef 2026–27 edition). The average net price after grants is $12,672 at UC Riverside and $14,241 at SJSU. Six-year graduation rates are 75.1% and 67.7%, respectively.
Source: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS and College Scorecard, reporting years 2025
What the data shows
Key differences
- UC Riverside admits 76.4% of applicants and SJSU 84.6%, so UC Riverside is the more selective.
- The average net price after grants is $12,672 a year at UC Riverside and $14,241 at SJSU; UC Riverside costs $1,569 less a year.
- For families earning up to $30,000, the net price is $6,871 at UC Riverside and $10,381 at SJSU.
- 75.1% of students graduate within six years at UC Riverside, against 67.7% at SJSU.
- Median earnings ten years after entry are $72,974 for UC Riverside and $83,493 for SJSU; SJSU is $10,519 higher.
- Graduates leave with median federal debt of $16,368 at UC Riverside and $14,750 at SJSU.
- UC Riverside enrolls 22,593 students (large city) and SJSU 27,601 (large city).
Side by side
UC Riverside and SJSU in numbers
The stronger figure in each cost and outcome row is in bold. Net price is what students who receive aid pay after grants; your own price depends on family income.
| Measure | UC Riverside | SJSU |
|---|---|---|
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance rate | 76.4% | 84.6% |
| Applicants | 52,672 | 30,441 |
| Cost | ||
| Average net price (after grants) | $12,672 | $14,241 |
| Tuition, in state | $16,103 | $8,846 |
| Tuition, out of state | $53,705 | $22,166 |
| Cost of attendance | $38,424 | $28,920 |
| Net price by family income | ||
| Family income up to $30,000 | $6,871 | $10,381 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $7,549 | $10,669 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $9,099 | $12,135 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $13,190 | $15,813 |
| Over $110,000 | $30,021 | $24,449 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Graduation rate (six years) | 75.1% | 67.7% |
| First-year retention | 87.6% | 86.8% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $72,974 | $83,493 |
| Median federal debt at graduation | $16,368 | $14,750 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $186 | $168 |
| Size and setting | ||
| Total students | 22,593 | 27,601 |
| Type | Public | Public |
| Setting | City: Large | City: Large |
| Location | Riverside, CA | San Jose, CA |
Source: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS and College Scorecard, reporting years 2025. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
Bachelor's programs both offer
UC Riverside reports 60 bachelor's programs and SJSU 85; 41 are offered at both. The largest shared programs:
Questions about UC Riverside vs SJSU
Every answer uses the figures in the table above.
Is it harder to get into UC Riverside or SJSU?
UC Riverside is harder to get into by acceptance rate: UC Riverside admits 76.4% of applicants and SJSU admits 84.6%.
Which is cheaper, UC Riverside or SJSU?
UC Riverside has the lower average net price after grants: $12,672 a year at UC Riverside against $14,241 at SJSU. For families earning up to $30,000 it is $6,871 and $10,381. Your own price depends on family income and aid.
Do UC Riverside or SJSU graduates earn more?
SJSU graduates earn more at the median: $72,974 ten years after entry for UC Riverside and $83,493 for SJSU. Median federal debt at graduation is $16,368 and $14,750.
Which has a higher graduation rate, UC Riverside or SJSU?
UC Riverside does: 75.1% of UC Riverside students graduate within six years, against 67.7% at SJSU.
How big are UC Riverside and SJSU?
UC Riverside has 22,593 students in Riverside, CA and SJSU has 27,601 students in San Jose, CA.