University of California Riverside campus

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UC Riverside Demographics & Diversity

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Racial Demographics & Diversity

Racial Diversity

Racial Diversity

Very High

Racial Diversity Index: 71%

Racial diversity is the chance that two students chosen at random are from different racial or ethnic groups, using the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index. Students at UC Riverside are predominantly Asian with a significant Hispanic population. The school has very high racial diversity. 87% percent of students are minorities or people of color (BIPOC). The ethnic breakdown is detailed in the following table.

University of California Riverside has been designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and is eligible for federal grants supporting the school's efforts to serve Hispanic Americans.

The college is an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI) and is recognized for serving Asian Americans and Native American Pacific Islanders.

Racial demographics of University of California Riverside students
Race Percent of Students
White
13%
Black
4%
Hispanic
36%
Asian
37%
American Indian / Alaskan
0%
Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
0%
Two or more races
4%
International
4%
Race Unknown
1%

Gender Demographics & Diversity

Gender Diversity

Gender Diversity

Very High

Gender Diversity Index: 50%

There are 6% more female students than male students enrolled at University of California Riverside with a gender ratio of 51% women to 49% men. Compared to the US average of 56% female students, UC Riverside has a higher gender diversity than other US colleges and is very inclusive of both genders.

Male to female gender ratio for University of California Riverside students
Gender Percent of Students
Men
49%
Women
51%
Enrollment by gender for University of California Riverside students
Gender Number of Students
Men
12,810
Women
13,574

Geographic Diversity

Geographic Diversity

Geographic Diversity

Extremely Low

Geographic Diversity Index: 4%

UC Riverside draws 96 percent of students from California, 1 percent from other states, and 3 percent from other countries. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside California, including other U.S. states and other countries.

Enrollment by geographic location for University of California Riverside students
Origin Percent of Students
In State
96%
Out of State
1%
Foreign
3%
Unknown Location
0%

Economic Diversity

Median Household Income

Median Household Income

$68,292 per year

48% of students can be considered low-income as indicated by their receipt of Federal Pell Grant Aid.

Total Enrollment

Total Enrollment

Total enrollment

26,384
Share of undergraduates by age and part-time status
Segment Percent of Students
Students Over 25 Years Old 5%
Part-time undergraduates 1.8%

Other Colleges to Consider

Students applying to University of California Riverside often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=110671.

Racial and gender diversity ratings use the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index (Gini-Simpson): the probability that two students chosen at random belong to different groups. See the Census method note, Measuring Racial and Ethnic Diversity for the 2020 Census. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside the college's home state (other U.S. states plus international). IPEDS does not publish enrollment by individual state of residence.

Last updated: August 2026