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#9 Best Public Universities in California

UC Riverside Admission Requirements

Riverside, California

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Your chances of getting into University of California Riverside

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

68.7%
Admission Difficulty for University of California Riverside
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Difficult 
Applicant Competition Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at UC Riverside is 68.7%.  Its admission rate is the 48th lowest in California.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into UC Riverside and can you get accepted?

UC Riverside is a moderately competitive school to get into. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet the criteria. Last year, 37,563 out of the 54,683 who applied were admitted.

University of California Riverside typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.84. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 15% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into UC Riverside?

69% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to University of California Riverside you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.84 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1180 on the SAT
  • Score 26 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 10% of your high school class

UC Riverside GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.84

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into University of California Riverside?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into UC Riverside are to have around a 3.84 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.

If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as UC Riverside accepts 69% of students who apply.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at UC Riverside is 3.84 on the 4.0 scale. 35% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #14 in California for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since UC Riverside is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.8 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted University of California Riverside students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 34.6% Good
3.75 to 3.99 27.2% Avg
3.50 to 3.74 23.3% Reach
3.25 to 3.49 11.6% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 2.8% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 0.5% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 0% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 0% Reach
less than 1.00 0% Reach

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

UC Riverside SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required by University of California Riverside. The school has a test blind policy.

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1080-1280

Applicants Submitting SAT 

92%
SAT Scores for University of California Riverside
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 540
Math 25th Percentile 540
Composite 25th Percentile 1080
SAT Scores for University of California Riverside
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 630
Math 75th Percentile 650
Composite 75th Percentile 1280
Average SAT Score 1180

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to University of California Riverside?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at UC Riverside is 1180 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1080-1280. Students who get into University of California Riverside score in the top 45 percent of all SAT test takers..  UC Riverside ranks #34 in the state of California for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1180 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. UC Riverside regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1080 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1080, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 980, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

University of California Riverside is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not considered for admission, even if submitted (test blind)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1180 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1180, you have around a 69% chance of being admitted. A 1280 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 81% chance of getting in.

University of California Riverside admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1280 and Above Good >81%
1180 to 1280 Avg + 69%-81%
1080 to 1180 Avg - 54%-69%
980 to 1080 Reach 38%-54%
Less than 980 Low <38%
Calculate My Chances 

UC Riverside ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

22-31 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

42%
ACT Scores for University of California Riverside
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 20
Math 25th Percentile 19
Composite 25th Percentile 22
ACT Scores for University of California Riverside
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 26
Math 75th Percentile 26
Composite 75th Percentile 31
Average ACT Score 26

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into UC Riverside?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to UC Riverside is 26, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 22 and 31.  The school ranks #30 in California for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 26. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 22 and score in the score in the top 37 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 18.

42 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to University of California Riverside.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as University of California Riverside is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not considered for admission, even if submitted (test blind)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into UC Riverside for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 26 score has around 69% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 82% with a 31 ACT score.

University of California Riverside admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
31 and Above Good >82%
26 to 31 Avg + 69%-82%
22 to 26 Avg - 56%-69%
18 to 22 Reach 42%-56%
Less than 18 Low <42%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

94% of University of California Riverside freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.

High School Class Rank for admitted University of California Riverside students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 94%
Top 25% of class 100%
Top 50% of class 100%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

University of California Riverside admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 28,738 25,945 54,683
Accepted 21,061 16,502 37,563
Acceptance Rate 73% 64% 69%
Enrolled 2,933 2,640 5,573
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 14% 16% 15%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Nov 30, 2024

Days left to Apply

23

Applicants have 23 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Nov 30, 2024.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to University of California Riverside is $70.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to University of California Riverside and what student information is used for admission decisions?

University of California Riverside Application Requirements
Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at University of California Riverside
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because UC Riverside is moderately competitive, you have a strong chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.84 GPA, you have a very good likelihood of getting in. A 1180 on the SAT and 26 on the ACT will further lock in your application.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to University of California Riverside often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=110671 IPEDS survey data for University of California Riverside.

Last updated February 24, 2024