University of California-Riverside vs University at Buffalo
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
University of California-Riverside and University at Buffalo are closely matched on financial return. University of California-Riverside scores 83/100 while University at Buffalo scores 83/100 - a gap small enough that individual circumstances (major choice, financial aid package, in-state vs out-of-state status) will likely matter more than the overall score difference.
On cost, University of California-Riverside comes in at $14,304 per year (net price after aid) versus $20,995 at University at Buffalo - a difference of $6,691 annually, or roughly $26,764 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University at Buffalo graduates earn a median of $70,814 compared to $67,699 at University of California-Riverside. The payback period is 6 years at University of California-Riverside versus 6.3 years at University at Buffalo.
Graduates leave University of California-Riverside with a median $17,500 in debt versus $19,000 at University at Buffalo. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.48 and 0.41 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of California-... | University at Buffalo |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $15,606 | $10,936 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $49,806 | $31,536 |
| Net Price (avg) | $14,304 | $20,995 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $57,216 | $83,980 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $36,800 | $46,100 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $67,699 | $70,814 |
| Graduation Rate | 76.0% | 75.2% |
| Payback Period | 6 yr | 6.3 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $17,500 | $19,000 |
| Monthly Payment | $186 | $201 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.48 | 0.41 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 72.7% | 75.1% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 69.2% | 74.0% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 76.4% | 74.2% |
| Enrollment | 22,593 | 20,112 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Califo... | University at Buffal... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $8,852 | $14,668 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $9,840 | $16,585 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $13,111 | $21,262 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $16,571 | $24,117 |
| $110,001+ | $30,393 | $28,079 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of Califo... | University at Buffal... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $117,705 | $105,160 |
| Computer Engineering | $107,193 | $109,221 |
| Electrical Engineering | $102,630 | $95,209 |
| Chemical Engineering | $91,457 | $95,424 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $93,721 | $84,602 |
| Biomedical Engineering | $90,041 | $84,920 |
| Environmental Engineering | $84,300 | $75,263 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $72,027 | $69,903 |
| Economics | $66,682 | $70,720 |
| Chemistry | $64,131 | $68,413 |
| Mathematics | $63,596 | $60,882 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences | $59,677 | $59,841 |
| Romance Languages | $42,692 | $59,216 |
| Biology | $58,339 | $57,298 |
| International Relations | $56,740 | $58,292 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Califo... | University at Buffal... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 92 | 84 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 89 | 88 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 78 | 86 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 86 | 85 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 48 | 55 |
| Overall ROI Score | 83 | 83 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. University of California-Riverside edges out University at Buffalo by 0 points (83 vs 83), but the difference is small enough that major choice and individual circumstances will matter more than the school-level ROI difference. Run the numbers for your specific situation using the calculator below.
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University of California-Riverside
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
University at Buffalo
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.