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Riverside , CA
The University of California, Riverside (UCR) is a public research university located in Riverside, California. Established in 1954, it is the youngest of the ten campuses of the University of California system. UCR is known for its commitment to diversity and inclusion, with a student body that reflects the rich cultural and ethnic backgrounds of Southern California. The campus is set on 1,200 acres of lush greenery, boasting state-of-the-art facilities and a thriving academic community.
UCR offers over 80 undergraduate majors and more than 50 graduate programs across diverse fields of study, ranging from natural sciences and engineering to humanities and social sciences. The university prides itself on providing students with a world-class education, emphasizing the integration of cutting-edge research and innovative teaching methods. UCR faculty are distinguished scholars and experts in their respective fields, actively contributing to advancements in knowledge and addressing society's most pressing challenges.
Beyond academics, UCR offers a vibrant campus life with numerous extracurricular activities and organizations for students to engage in. The university has a strong focus on community engagement and civic responsibility, with students actively participating in volunteer programs and making a positive impact on the local community. With its strong academic reputation, diverse campus community, and commitment to social responsibility, the University of California, Riverside offers an exceptional environment for students to learn, grow, and make a difference in the world.
Located in Riverside, CA, University of California, Riverside is a public university. This school uses a quarterly calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 76%. The freshman retention rate at University of California, Riverside is 87.6% and the six-year graduation rate is 76%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is December 2. The transfer application deadline is December 2.
To find out more about what University of California, Riverside has to offer to its students, read on for the latest data reported by this school.
Quick Facts
22,599
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
22:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
76%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
In order to improve your chances of getting admitted, you need to know as much as possible about the university's criteria for admission. Here are the most essential information you have to know about admission policy and requirements at University of California, Riverside.
In 2025, the school accepted 44,356 new students. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is very difficult to get into. With a rich history of academic excellence, it offers an unparalleled educational experience.
Test Scores
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.83. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into University of California, Riverside.
Deadlines
The cutoff date for submitting applications to this school is December 2. When filling out the application as a transfer student, the application deadline is December 2.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is defined as the percentage of first-year students who return for their sophomore year at a college or university. That information can tell you if the majority of new students liked their first year enough to come back.
The freshman retention rate for University of California, Riverside was 87.6% in 2025, a clear indication of the excellence and value of the educational experience at this school.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year completion rate at this institution is 76%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Choosing a school that is the best fit for you is not a simple task. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by finding out more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at University of California, Riverside in 2025 was 26,384.
That year, the institution had 1% of out-of-state students. There was a total of 22,599 students working towards bachelor's degrees, including 779 international students. The number of transfer students at this school was 1,268.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 11,981 male and 12,862 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
Higer Education is committed to expanding the diversity of its student body and improving students' sense of inclusion and belonging. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 8,122, and the number of Black American students was 793. 9,048 undergraduates at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 1,123 identified with more than one race. The school also had 31 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 20 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 344 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before sending an application to any college or university, the financial component should be taken into account. The most recent data reported regarding the expenses for attending this school are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition fees for this university.
For the students who live in the area, the tuition cost was $13,602, as reported by public county or municipal institutions. For out-of-state students, tuition fees amounted to $51,204. For international students, tuition fees at this school were $51,204, as well. Full-time students in 2025 were mandated to pay additional fees in the amount of $2,510.49.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $51,204 | $2,510 | $53,714 |
| In-State | $13,602 | $2,510 | $16,112 |
Books and Supplies
Another important expense to consider is the estimated cost of books and supplies for a college or university. The estimated price of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is $1,750.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. How much do room and board fees average around at colleges and universities?
In 2025, room and board cost at University of California, Riverside amounted to $20,425 a year.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 13,602 |
| Room and Board | $ 20,425 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,750 |
| Total Expense | $ 35,777 |
Financial Aid
Financial support for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. If you wish to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at University of California, Riverside, here are some recent data you should take into consideration.
According to the most recent data, 3,558 freshmen were awarded financial aid. Students of this school received an average of $28,732 in financial help.
Need-based
Financial aid that a student can receive if they are determined to have financial need and meet other eligibility requirements is known as need-based aid.
14,227 students were awarded some form of need-based financial aid. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was found to be 14,522. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution stood at $73,535,166, and state $174,026,992. The students of University of California, Riverside received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $107,909,324, and external in the amount of $1,709,112.
$5,578
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
593 students, including freshmen, obtained institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this school in 2025. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 194 full-time freshman. Federal non-need-based scholarships and grants totaled $73,535,166 for students at this institution, while state aid came to $660,993. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $5,368,595. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $582,098 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
22:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at University of California, Riverside was 22:1: that means 22 students per one teacher. The faculty of this school consists of 1,209 members, according to the most recent data reported. This number included 730 male and 479 female faculty members.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at University of California, Riverside is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Check out some details about social life at University of California, Riverside.
It has a campus size of 1,200 acres.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
According to recently gathered data, there are 554 open-membership organizations at University of California, Riverside. This number includes sororities and fraternities. 3 percent of male and 4 of female students are participants in different organizations at University of California, Riverside. The student organization that is most favored by students is American Red Cross, followed by Vietnamese Student Association and Project Sunshine. Other popular student organizations at this school are Healthy Hearts and American Medical Student Association.
There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. You have a passion for media and communication? University of California, Riverside publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
University of California, Riverside provides a number of services needed for a comfortable and secure life on campus.
There are 24-hour emergency phone and alarm devices. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a security patrol that operates 24 hours a day. The transport/escort service operates during late hours.
This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Legal Services, Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center are available to the students of University of California, Riverside.
All in all, campus life at University of California, Riverside is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at University of California, Riverside.
Career Counselling
At University of California, Riverside, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be excellent for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
Job Placement
Knowing what salary you can expect once you have completed your studies can help you decide if a certain school matches your career goals.
The average base annual starting salary of the students who were employed within six months of graduation at this school is 57,000 USD.
$57,000
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
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University of California, Riverside is located in Riverside, CA.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for University of California, Riverside is 76%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for University of California, Riverside is 87.6%.
Contact Information
University of California - Riverside
900 University Avenue
Riverside , CA
92521-0102
951 827-1012
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.