University of California Riverside
- 7/10 Overall Rating
- 4 Year
- Riverside, CA
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5.0 1 review
Overview
Total enrollment
26,384- Location Riverside, California
- Website ucr.edu
- Type Public 4 Year
- Setting Large City
Best Colleges Rank
#306- Size Large
- Status Non-profit
- Housing Yes
- Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate
The University of California, Riverside is a public research university situated 60 miles east of Los Angeles in California's Inland Empire region. Established in 1954 as part of the University of California system, the campus spans 1,200 acres of land formerly used for citrus research, with several original buildings showcasing mid-century modern architecture. UC Riverside maintains selective admission standards and is recognized for its research programs in agricultural sciences, particularly citrus cultivation, as well as its engineering, business, and natural sciences departments. The university's residence halls accommodate first-year students, while campus apartments serve returning students, supporting a substantial residential population. As a Division I member of the Big West Conference, UC Riverside's athletic teams compete as the Highlanders, though the institution is primarily known for its academic and research achievements.
Ratings
UC Riverside is rated within the top 37% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 7 out of 10.
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Overall Rating7 out of 10
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Academics8 out of 10
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Resources6 out of 10
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Outcomes7 out of 10
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Value10 out of 10
Rankings
Rankings for University of California Riverside within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
Admissions
Admission Standards
- GPA 3.84
Acceptance Rate
- Applications Due Nov 30, 2026
- Enrollment Rate 12.2%
- Application Fee $80
Applicant Competition Very Low
Annual Cost to Attend
California Resident Tuition
$15,606Out of State Resident Tuition
$49,806Breakdown
- Tuition $15,606
- Books and Supplies $1,576
- Other Fees $2,460
- Room and Board $20,691
- Budget for Other Expenses $5,730
- Total One Year Cost $46,063
- Tuition $49,806
- Books and Supplies $1,576
- Other Fees $2,460
- Room and Board $20,691
- Budget for Other Expenses $5,730
- Total One Year Cost $80,263
Student Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
Popular majors at University of California Riverside are Social Sciences, Business, and Biology. 19% of students major in Social Sciences, 18% in Business, and 14% in Biology.
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Social Sciences 19%
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Business 18%
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Biology 14%
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Psychology 11%
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General Studies 6%
More Colleges to Consider
Students considering University of California Riverside are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=110671.
GPA calculator: University of California Riverside GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026