University of California Riverside campus

UC Riverside Admission Requirements

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Riverside, CA
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UC Riverside Admission Overview

UC Riverside admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year UC Riverside admitted 76.4% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.84 GPA (A-). UC Riverside is test-free. SAT and ACT are not used for admission. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

UC Riverside is test-free for 2026-27. SAT and ACT are not used, even if you send them.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/applying-as-a-first-year/filling-out-the-application.html

UC Riverside Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

76.4%

Admission Standards

Difficult

Applicant Competition

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The UC Riverside acceptance rate is 76.4%. Last year, 44,343 of 58,048 applicants were admitted. That is the 57th lowest acceptance rate in California.

Admission Selectivity

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

UC Riverside is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile. Getting an offer is relatively likely compared with more selective schools, but last year's class still posted a strong academic profile.

University of California Riverside typically 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. 12% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

UC Riverside GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.84

Typical High School Grades

A-

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.84

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at UC Riverside typically have around a 3.84 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have exceptionally good grades. UC Riverside is test-free, so GPA is the main academic number in the file.

35% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #14 in California for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.8 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled University of California Riverside freshmen
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 figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

UC Riverside Test Policy

Test Submission Requirements

UC Riverside does not consider SAT or ACT scores for admission or scholarships for first-year applicants in the 2026-27 cycle. You may report SAT or ACT scores only after you submit the UC application. Those scores may be used as an alternative method of fulfilling minimum eligibility requirements or for course placement after you enroll.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/applying-as-a-first-year/filling-out-the-application.html

UC Riverside SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1080-1280

Freshmen who sent SAT

92%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 540
Math 540
Composite 1080

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 630
Math 650
Composite 1280

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at UC Riverside typically score around a 1180 SAT (middle 50% 1080–1280) out of 1600. These figures are from the last year SAT scores were reported, not a cutoff. SAT is not used for admission, even if you send it. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 73rd percentile nationally. UC Riverside ranks #35 in the state of California for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1080 to 1280

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

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

SAT scores are from the last year they were reported to IPEDS. They are not used for admission.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

UC Riverside ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

22-31

Freshmen reporting ACT

42%

25th Percentile Scores

English 20
Math 19
Composite 22

75th Percentile Scores

English 26
Math 26
Composite 31

Average ACT

Incoming testers at UC Riverside typically have around a 26 ACT (mid-50 22–31) on the 36 scale. These numbers come from the last year ACT scores were reported, not a minimum for admission. ACT is not considered, even if you submit it. That average sits near the 82nd percentile of ACT takers nationwide. UC Riverside places #31 among colleges in California for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 22 to 31

1 9 18 27 36

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 26.0 ACT score range.

ACT figures reflect the last year they were reported to IPEDS. They are not used in admission.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Estimate How You Compare

Compare your GPA with last year's enrolled class and this school's acceptance rate. SAT and ACT are not used.

Open the UC Riverside chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

University of California Riverside admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	30,364	27,684	58,048
Accepted	24,312	20,031	44,343
Acceptance Rate	80%	72%	76%
Enrolled	2,910	2,512	5,422
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	12%	13%	12%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

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
Requirement	Used for Admission
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

Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2026 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Nov 30, 2026

Days left to Apply

Applicants have 91 days left until the Fall 2026 term applications are due on Nov 30, 2026.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to University of California Riverside is $80.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at University of California Riverside
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

UC Riverside is test-free for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 76.4% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.84 GPA (about an A- average). Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025