Skip to content

University of California-Riverside vs Mount Saint Mary's University

University of California-Riverside is a public university in Riverside, CA, and Mount Saint Mary's University is a private university in Los Angeles, CA. Mount Saint Mary's University is the more selective of the two, admitting about 73% of applicants against 76% at University of California-Riverside. University of California-Riverside is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $14,304 a year against $21,413 at Mount Saint Mary's University. About 76% of students graduate at University of California-Riverside, compared with 53% at Mount Saint Mary's University. Ten years after enrolling, Mount Saint Mary's University alumni earn a median of about $72,379, against $67,699 for University of California-Riverside.

See which of these two fits you, and what each would actually cost you.

Start the free quiz

University of California-Riverside

Riverside, CA · Public

Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA · Private
At a glance
Type
Public
Private
Location
Riverside, CA
Los Angeles, CA
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
22,593
1,719
Acceptance rate
76%
73%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.41–3.91
3.36–3.86
SAT (middle 50%)
1080–1280
900–1110
ACT (middle 50%)
22–31
18–23
Test policy
Test blind
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$14,304
$21,413
Full cost / yr
$38,942
$66,726
In-state tuition
$15,606
$49,564
Out-of-state tuition
$49,806
$49,564
Application fee
$80
$0
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$8,852
$23,849
$30k - $48k
$9,840
$13,718
$48k - $75k
$13,111
$17,876
$75k - $110k
$16,571
$30,247
Over $110k
$30,393
$18,762
Outcomes
Graduation rate
76%
53%
Freshman retention
88%
71%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$48,593
$61,335
Median earnings (10 yr)
$67,699
$72,379
Median debt at graduation
$17,500
$25,949
Student body
Pell grant recipients
47%
57%
First-generation students
48%
50%
International students
4%
1%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Dec 1
Regular decision
Nov 30
Rolling

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is University of California-Riverside or Mount Saint Mary's University harder to get into?
Mount Saint Mary's University is harder to get into. It admits about 73% of applicants, compared with 76% at University of California-Riverside. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, University of California-Riverside or Mount Saint Mary's University?
University of California-Riverside is cheaper on average. Students pay about $14,304 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $21,413 at Mount Saint Mary's University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at University of California-Riverside and Mount Saint Mary's University?
Before aid, University of California-Riverside costs about $38,942 a year and Mount Saint Mary's University about $66,726. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, University of California-Riverside or Mount Saint Mary's University?
University of California-Riverside. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $8,852 there, against about $23,849 at Mount Saint Mary's University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, University of California-Riverside or Mount Saint Mary's University?
University of California-Riverside is the larger of the two, with about 22,593 undergraduates against 1,719 at Mount Saint Mary's University.
Does University of California-Riverside or Mount Saint Mary's University have a better graduation rate?
University of California-Riverside has the higher graduation rate, at about 76% against 53% at Mount Saint Mary's University.
Do graduates of University of California-Riverside or Mount Saint Mary's University earn more?
Mount Saint Mary's University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $72,379 ten years after enrolling, against about $67,699 for University of California-Riverside. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do University of California-Riverside and Mount Saint Mary's University require SAT or ACT scores?
University of California-Riverside is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. Mount Saint Mary's University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do University of California-Riverside and Mount Saint Mary's University look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1080–1280 at University of California-Riverside and 900–1110 at Mount Saint Mary's University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.

1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school