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University of California-Riverside

UC Riverside

Riverside, California 92521

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Sciences-focusedLarge campusUrban

Strong graduate outcomes — known for biology

University of California-Riverside is a public institution in Riverside with particular strength in biology and business.

A large campus of 22.6K undergraduates with a 23:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

77% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $67,699 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $13,707.

Established
1954
Motto
Fiat lux
Mascot
Scotty Highlander
Type
Public land-grant research university
Conference
Big West Conference of NCAA Division I
Division
Division I

Plan Your Visit

63%Acceptance
SAT Avg
22,644Students
23:1Student:Faculty
77%Grad Rate
$67,699Earnings 10yr
$13,707Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate63.3%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$14,170
Tuition (out-of-state)$44,947
Room & Board$19,433
Books & Supplies$1,748
Total Cost of Attendance$34,975
Average Net Price$13,707
Median Debt at Graduation$17,500
Monthly Payment (10yr)$186

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$8,240
$30–48K$9,615
$48–75K$12,449
$75–110K$17,297
$110K+$29,624

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

67.0%

Median Debt at Grad

$14,944

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

172

Peer Average

240

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

24/7 campus police department, blue-light phone network, emergency mass notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

44

Burglary

9

Aggravated Assault

6

Robbery

15

Motor Vehicle Theft

18

Sex Offenses

1

Arson

45

Drug Arrests

34

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (158)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

88%

Positive

Student Body

Undergrads
22,644
Gender Split
52% / 48%
Women / Men
First Generation
48%
Pell Grant Recipients
47%

Race & Ethnicity

White 11%
Black 3%
Hispanic 40%
Asian 36%
Two+ 5%
Int'l 4%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate76.6%
Freshman Retention88.2%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$48,593
10 Years$67,699

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#75
vs 2024
Forbes
#77
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#50
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports

VolleyballBaseballGolfBasketball

History & Fun Facts

  • The industry developed from the country's first navel orange trees, planted in Riverside in 1873.
  • Lobbied by the citrus industry, the UC Regents established the UC Citrus Experiment Station (CES) on February 14, 1907, on 23 acres (9 ha) of land on the east slope of Mount Rubidoux in Riverside.
  • In 1917, the station was moved to a larger site, 475 acres (192 ha) near Box Springs Mountain.
  • The 1944 passage of the GI Bill during World War II set in motion a rise in college enrollments that necessitated an expansion of the state university system in California.
  • Dilworth authored Senate Bill 512 (1949) which former Assemblyman Philip L.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

163Very High

Estimated from CA state average + large city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 0"Sunny days: 250Rainy days: 75

Nearest Cities

Los Angelespop. 3.9M
53 mi(92 min)
San Diegopop. 1.4M
87 mi(151 min)
Phoenixpop. 1.6M
304 mi(527 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

LAX Los Angeles62 mi
SAN San Diego86 mi
LAS Las Vegas191 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA2547 mi · ~73h 35m drive
New York, NY2400 mi · ~69h 20m drive
Hartford, CT2466 mi · ~71h 14m drive
Providence, RI2530 mi · ~73h 5m drive
Albany, NY2409 mi · ~69h 36m drive
Syracuse, NY2288 mi · ~66h 6m drive
Rochester, NY2215 mi · ~63h 59m drive
Buffalo, NY2150 mi · ~62h 7m drive
Philadelphia, PA2342 mi · ~67h 39m drive
Pittsburgh, PA2086 mi · ~60h 16m drive
Harrisburg, PA2250 mi · ~65h drive
Newark, NJ2391 mi · ~69h 4m drive
Washington, DC2247 mi · ~64h 55m drive
Baltimore, MD2268 mi · ~65h 31m drive
Atlanta, GA1882 mi · ~54h 22m drive
Charlotte, NC2065 mi · ~59h 39m drive
Raleigh, NC2182 mi · ~63h 2m drive
Miami, FL2283 mi · ~65h 57m drive
Orlando, FL2145 mi · ~61h 58m drive
Tampa, FL2097 mi · ~60h 35m drive
Nashville, TN1727 mi · ~49h 53m drive
New Orleans, LA1617 mi · ~46h 43m drive
Richmond, VA2234 mi · ~64h 32m drive
Chicago, IL1698 mi · ~49h 3m drive
Detroit, MI1935 mi · ~55h 54m drive
Minneapolis, MN1483 mi · ~42h 51m drive
St. Louis, MO1539 mi · ~44h 28m drive
Kansas City, MO1308 mi · ~37h 47m drive
Indianapolis, IN1759 mi · ~50h 49m drive
Columbus, OH1927 mi · ~55h 40m drive
Cleveland, OH2000 mi · ~57h 47m drive
Milwaukee, WI1699 mi · ~49h 5m drive
Dallas, TX1186 mi · ~34h 16m drive
Houston, TX1318 mi · ~38h 5m drive
Austin, TX1172 mi · ~33h 51m drive
San Antonio, TX1149 mi · ~33h 12m drive
Los Angeles, CA53 mi · ~1h 32m drive
San Francisco, CA388 mi · ~11h 13m drive
San Diego, CA87 mi · ~2h 31m drive
Seattle, WA977 mi · ~28h 13m drive
Portland, OR846 mi · ~24h 26m drive
Denver, CO789 mi · ~22h 48m drive
Phoenix, AZ304 mi · ~8h 47m drive
Salt Lake City, UT556 mi · ~16h 4m drive
Honolulu, HI2611 mi · ~75h 26m drive
Southern (mild winters, hot summers)

Deadline Calendar

University of California-Riverside Application Checklist

Decision Notifications