Deciding on the right college can be a challenging process. Comparing universities such as UC Riverside and Cal Poly can help you make an informed decision based on factors such as cost, academics, and campus life. In this article, we will provide an overview of each school, compare costs and admissions difficulty, and discuss the outcomes for graduates.
UC Riverside Overview
UC Riverside is a public research university located in Riverside, California. Established in 1954, it is part of the University of California system. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs across various disciplines.
UC Riverside Costs & Tuition
Tuition at UC Riverside varies depending on whether you are a resident or non-resident of California. California residents pay approximately $14,000 in tuition and fees, while non-residents pay around $42,000. Additional costs such as housing, books, and supplies can bring the total cost of attendance to roughly $34,000 for residents and $62,000 for non-residents.
UC Riverside Admissions
UC Riverside has an acceptance rate of approximately 58%, making it a moderately selective institution. The university considers factors such as high school GPA, test scores, and extracurricular activities when reviewing applications.
UC Riverside Degrees Offered
UC Riverside offers a wide range of degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels. Popular programs include business, engineering, and social sciences.
UC Riverside Academics
UC Riverside is renowned for its research opportunities and strong academic programs. The university is ranked #85 in National Universities by U.S. News & World Report, with a high overall score for graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, and academic reputation.
UC Riverside Diversity
UC Riverside takes pride in its diverse student body, with a significant representation of various ethnicities, races, and backgrounds. The university is ranked #19 in ethnic diversity by U.S. News & World Report.
UC Riverside Students
UC Riverside enrolls around 23,000 undergraduate and 3,000 graduate students. The student-to-faculty ratio is 19:1, ensuring personalized attention and support for students.
UC Riverside Campus
The UC Riverside campus spans 1,200 acres and features state-of-the-art facilities, research centers, and recreational spaces. Students have access to a wide range of services, including academic support, career services, and health and wellness resources.
UC Riverside Alumni
UC Riverside boasts a strong alumni network, with over 120,000 alumni worldwide. Prominent alumni include Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jane Smiley, astronaut Mike Alsbury, and former Mexican President Vicente Fox.
UC Riverside Rankings
UC Riverside is ranked #85 in National Universities by U.S. News & World Report. The university is also ranked #19 in ethnic diversity and #53 in social mobility.
UC Riverside Outcomes
The median starting salary for UC Riverside graduates is $48,700, and 78% of graduates are employed or pursuing further education within six months of graduation.
Cal Poly Overview
Cal Poly, or California Polytechnic State University, is a public university located in San Luis Obispo, California. Established in 1901, Cal Poly emphasizes hands-on learning and offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
Cal Poly Costs & Tuition
Tuition at Cal Poly varies based on residency status. California residents pay approximately $10,000 in tuition and fees, while non-residents pay around $26,000. Additional costs such as housing, books, and supplies can bring the total cost of attendance to roughly $30,000 for residents and $46,000 for non-residents.
Cal Poly Admissions
Cal Poly has an acceptance rate of approximately 30%, making it a highly selective institution. The university reviews applications holistically, considering factors such as high school GPA, test scores, and extracurricular activities.
Cal Poly Degrees Offered
Cal Poly offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, with a strong focus on applied and experiential learning. Popular programs include engineering, architecture, and business.
Cal Poly Academics
Cal Poly is known for its hands-on learning approach and strong academic programs. The university is ranked #3 in Regional Universities West by U.S. News & World Report and has a high overall score for graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, and academic reputation.
Cal Poly Diversity
Cal Poly has a diverse student body, with students from various ethnicities, races, and backgrounds. The university is ranked #42 in ethnic diversity by U.S. News & World Report.
Cal Poly Students
Cal Poly enrolls around 21,000 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate students. The student-to-faculty ratio is 20:1, providing students with personalized attention and support.
Cal Poly Campus
The Cal Poly campus spans 9,678 acres, offering students a combination of state-of-the-art facilities and picturesque natural landscapes. Students have access to a wide range of services, including academic support, career services, and health and wellness resources.
Cal Poly Alumni
Cal Poly has a strong alumni network, with over 190,000 alumni worldwide. Notable alumni include NASA astronaut Victor Glover, NFL coach John Madden, and Patagonia CEO Rose Marcario.
Cal Poly Rankings
Cal Poly is ranked #3 in Regional Universities West by U.S. News & World Report. The university is also ranked #42 in ethnic diversity and #12 in social mobility.
Cal Poly Outcomes
The median starting salary for Cal Poly graduates is $62,100, and 81% of graduates are employed or pursuing further education within six months of graduation.
UC Riverside vs Cal Poly Cost Comparison
UC Riverside and Cal Poly have different tuition costs based on residency status. California residents pay approximately $14,000 in tuition and fees at UC Riverside, compared to $10,000 at Cal Poly. Non-residents pay around $42,000 at UC Riverside and $26,000 at Cal Poly. When accounting for additional costs such as housing, books, and supplies, the total cost of attendance is roughly $34,000 for UC Riverside residents, $62,000 for UC Riverside non-residents, $30,000 for Cal Poly residents, and $46,000 for Cal Poly non-residents.
UC Riverside vs Cal Poly Admissions Difficulty
UC Riverside and Cal Poly have different acceptance rates. UC Riverside has a moderate acceptance rate of 58%, while Cal Poly is highly selective with a 30% acceptance rate. Both universities review applications holistically, considering factors such as high school GPA, test scores, and extracurricular activities.
UC Riverside vs Cal Poly Academic Difficulty
UC Riverside and Cal Poly both offer rigorous academic programs. UC Riverside is ranked #85 in National Universities, while Cal Poly is ranked #3 in Regional Universities West. Both schools emphasize research opportunities and quality faculty resources.
UC Riverside vs Cal Poly Outcome Comparison
Graduates of both UC Riverside and Cal Poly have strong employment outcomes. The median starting salary for UC Riverside graduates is $48,700, while Cal Poly graduates earn a median starting salary of $62,100. Within six months of graduation, 78% of UC Riverside graduates and 81% of Cal Poly graduates are employed or pursuing further education.
