UC Riverside vs UC Santa Cruz: cost, admissions and outcomes compared
Verified federal figures for University of California-Riverside and University of California-Santa Cruz, side by side. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
UC Riverside vs UC Santa Cruz at a glance
UC Riverside admits 76.4% of applicants and UC Santa Cruz 65.8% (CollegesRef 2026–27 edition). The average net price after grants is $12,672 at UC Riverside and $18,549 at UC Santa Cruz. Six-year graduation rates are 75.1% and 73.7%, 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 UC Santa Cruz 65.8%, so UC Santa Cruz is the more selective.
- The average net price after grants is $12,672 a year at UC Riverside and $18,549 at UC Santa Cruz; UC Riverside costs $5,877 less a year.
- For families earning up to $30,000, the net price is $6,871 at UC Riverside and $9,973 at UC Santa Cruz.
- 75.1% of students graduate within six years at UC Riverside, against 73.7% at UC Santa Cruz.
- Median earnings ten years after entry are $72,974 for UC Riverside and $73,362 for UC Santa Cruz; UC Santa Cruz is $388 higher.
- Graduates leave with median federal debt of $16,368 at UC Riverside and $15,000 at UC Santa Cruz.
- UC Riverside enrolls 22,593 students (large city) and UC Santa Cruz 17,940 (small city).
Side by side
UC Riverside and UC Santa Cruz 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 | UC Santa Cruz |
|---|---|---|
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance rate | 76.4% | 65.8% |
| Applicants | 52,672 | 61,695 |
| Cost | ||
| Average net price (after grants) | $12,672 | $18,549 |
| Tuition, in state | $16,103 | $16,585 |
| Tuition, out of state | $53,705 | $54,187 |
| Cost of attendance | $38,424 | $43,867 |
| Net price by family income | ||
| Family income up to $30,000 | $6,871 | $9,973 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $7,549 | $10,713 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $9,099 | $13,446 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $13,190 | $18,220 |
| Over $110,000 | $30,021 | $35,350 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Graduation rate (six years) | 75.1% | 73.7% |
| First-year retention | 87.6% | 88% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $72,974 | $73,362 |
| Median federal debt at graduation | $16,368 | $15,000 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $186 | $170 |
| Size and setting | ||
| Total students | 22,593 | 17,940 |
| Type | Public | Public |
| Setting | City: Large | City: Small |
| Location | Riverside, CA | Santa Cruz, 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 UC Santa Cruz 60; 36 are offered at both. The largest shared programs:
Questions about UC Riverside vs UC Santa Cruz
Every answer uses the figures in the table above.
Is it harder to get into UC Riverside or UC Santa Cruz?
UC Santa Cruz is harder to get into by acceptance rate: UC Riverside admits 76.4% of applicants and UC Santa Cruz admits 65.8%.
Which is cheaper, UC Riverside or UC Santa Cruz?
UC Riverside has the lower average net price after grants: $12,672 a year at UC Riverside against $18,549 at UC Santa Cruz. For families earning up to $30,000 it is $6,871 and $9,973. Your own price depends on family income and aid.
Do UC Riverside or UC Santa Cruz graduates earn more?
UC Santa Cruz graduates earn more at the median: $72,974 ten years after entry for UC Riverside and $73,362 for UC Santa Cruz. Median federal debt at graduation is $16,368 and $15,000.
Which has a higher graduation rate, UC Riverside or UC Santa Cruz?
UC Riverside does: 75.1% of UC Riverside students graduate within six years, against 73.7% at UC Santa Cruz.
How big are UC Riverside and UC Santa Cruz?
UC Riverside has 22,593 students in Riverside, CA and UC Santa Cruz has 17,940 students in Santa Cruz, CA.