About University of California-Riverside

Founded in 1954, University of California-Riverside. is a Public college. Located in California, which is a city setting in California, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 19,799 full time undergraduate students, and 2,916 full time graduate students.

The University of California-Riverside Academic calendar runs on a Quarter basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 22:1. There are 860 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at University of California-Riverside include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate66%
Application Deadline
Application Fee70
SAT Range940-1190
ACT Range21-27

Admissions at UCR are considered Selective, with ,110% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 13 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

100% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 100% were in the top quarter, and 94% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE Reviews

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at University of California-Riverside.

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  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    302 Students rated on-campus housing 3.8 stars. 22 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    239 Students rated off-campus housing 3.7 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    343 Students rated campus food 3.4 stars. 16 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    348 Students rated campus facilities 4.1 stars. 33 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    349 Students rated class size 3.7 stars. 19 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    347 Students rated school activities 3.8 stars. 32 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    350 Students rated local services 3.9 stars. 33 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    349 Students rated academics 3.8 stars. 30 % gave the school a 5.0.

University of California-Riverside REVIEWS

What's your overall opinion of University of California-Riverside?

138 Students rated University of California-Riverside

Jillian - 04/10/2024

I had a fun time at UCR. My major classes were small, and it was easy to connect with my professors and classmates. The material I learned was engaging and I felt like I came out of every class with some new knowledge. The campus was wonderful and very beautiful. There is a lot of greenery on campus and a lot of walking space.

Jasmine - 09/01/2023

In my opinion, I really like this school. It might be one of the smaller UC campuses but I think thats why I like it so much. The environment is great and you feel very connected. Everyone that I have met has been so nice and willing to help you if you need it. The area around might be a little boring but that is why the school has so many events and activities for everyone to enjoy. I have never once been disappointed with what UCR has to offer.

Roxana - 07/24/2023

My opinion on UCR is that they are a well diverse school. There is lots of help but you have to look for it, sometimes there is a good program or club but you have to find it yourself. The school overall is good not bad but the best. Though there is a lot of financial help it can be a pain getting it.

Jillian - 02/05/2022

My opinion about University of California-Riverside is that it is enjoyable. I have been very involved in my schoolwork as a Creative Writing major. The classes are good sizes, and the lessons and professors are very engaging. I have been enjoying my classes.

University of California-Riverside FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at University of California-Riverside?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for University of California-Riverside is 66%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    As your graduation day approaches, you will be told repeatedly about your potential to succeed. College will offer you an unmatched opportunity to build your own curriculum, shape your own future, and grow into the person that will face the professional and social world on their own. No one, however, will tell you that you may fail. Your accomplishments and your failures will be a consequence of your work. It is important to realize that as you begin your college career, you will be treated as an adult, and you will be expected to act as an adult. You will no longer be under the careful guidance of your parents and teachers. The freedom that this affords will be one of the best and most terrifying components of college life. As you move from adolescence to adulthood, there will be a plethora of available resources that can help to ease the transition. It will be your job to seek out and utilize this aid. You are responsible for making sound decisions, and seeking out help when necessary. Relish in your new found autonomy and remember, your potential is useless without action.

    Read all 341 answers
  3. Describe the students at your school.

    Classmates are upbeat, motivated, ready to help and excited about college.

    Read all 138 answers
  4. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    University of California, Riverside is distinctively unique from the other schools I considered because UCR offered the entire college experience package. UCR is a humongous campus that offers dormatories, extra-curricular activities, diversity, and great education. I believe UCR puts great emphasis on diversity. The diversity among students is amazing. There is not one ethnicity that dominates the others. The ethnicity is spread apart within the students and the professors. I believe this is important because it allows future prospects to feel welcome and comfortable when making the decision to attend the University of California, Riverside.

    Read all 83 answers
  5. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    Absolutely awesome!

    Read all 80 answers
  6. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    The University of California, Riverside is committed to insuring the quality education, while making sure students do not deem their dreams unattainable.

    Read all 77 answers
  7. What are the academics like at your school?

    The professors at UCR are for the most part strong. The engineering professors are very open to undergraduate research opportunities, and are willing to serve as mentors to their student. The Academics in general at UCR are poor. The student body for the most part is very lazy, and cheating on homework is commonplace. The student body has a dual hump shaped distribution with students either being very intelligent and hard working, or very lazy and sometimes unintelligent. Some science classes attract more of the first type of student, and are very competitive, other humanities coursework may not be as competitive.

    Read all 73 answers
  8. What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?

    My school is known for being a diverse flock of degenerates but you'll actually find a very chill and welcoming atmosphere.

    Read all 72 answers
  9. What are the most popular student activities/groups?

    I feel that frats are sororities are pretty popular. So are the sports teams. ASPB is also pretty big.

    Read all 65 answers
  10. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    The worst part about college is the divion of lecture and discussion, discussions are taught by teaching assistants that are sometimes not as knowlegable as professors.

    Read all 62 answers
  11. What's unique about your campus?

    My school is known for its diversity. Due to its diversity, there are so many cultures and backgrounds. It is so easy to learn new things by simply talking to the students . Its also nice to know that you can relate to someone who at first seemed so different.

    Read all 57 answers
  12. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    I wish I had known that housing would be so difficult to deal with and uncommunicative to boot.

    Read all 56 answers
  13. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    The kind that want to have a higher chance of going to a good graduate school after their undergraduate. The kind of people that want to work hard and success and ambitious about their career life.

    Read all 52 answers
  14. What kind of person should attend this school?

    The key element of education of the University of California Riverside is a variety of opportunities provided to its students. I am stunned by the amount of opportunities available, from student organizations to volunteering, from researches to work-studies. If a person is willing to work hard and take advantage of these opportunities it is possible to stand out on his or her field of interest. I think this campus perfectly fits students that are committed to their studies and are willing to dedicate some of their time to those extra-curricular activities that will enrich them with unique experiences.

    Read all 51 answers
  15. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    UCR is best known for their incoming medical school. The medical school has raised its prestige over the past several years and now students from everywhere wish to attend UCR rather than avoiding it as people have done in the past.

    Read all 45 answers
  16. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    Everything at UC Riverside is uphill--or, at least, it feels that way. It's a beautiful campus, right up against the Box Springs Mountains, with citrus trees planted all over and around the property, but no matter where you need to go on campus, it's always uphill from where you are. I have mobility problems, and I put in quite a bit of effort into getting around this university. Still, I'm in better shape than ever with the amount of walking I do here! And the hills are worth it for the sunsets and warm weather.

    Read all 43 answers
  17. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    The teachers are very into what they are doing, and they are very understanding. There is also a student lounge that is awesome because it has t.v. with cable, and games, as well as study areas all over the campus.

    Read all 40 answers
  18. Is the stereotype of students at your school accurate?

    For the most part yes. The student body is made up of at least 60 percent people who match that exact description. The majority of students who come from the "Bay Area" who were unable to get into Davis fit that description well, but there are a lot of local students who are very intelligent and hard working who attend this school due to geographic convenience, as well as scholarship assistance.

    Read all 37 answers
  19. What is the stereotype of students at your school?

    That there is nothing to do and it is in the middle of no where

    Read all 35 answers
  20. Why did you decide to go to this school?

    It's close to home, and financial aid is pretty good.

    Read all 26 answers
  21. Tell us about your professors.

    The professors at UCR are just like those at any other school, some are great teachers who get a point across in an entertaining and efficient way that you learn well, others they are just like any other boring teacher in the stereotypical put you to sleep with their words kind of way. And of course several fall in between with their teaching habits. However all professors do have office hours where students can speak with them one on one about the material learned in class and no teacher obviously wants to be seen as a bad teacher and I've yet to meet a teacher who is not helpful with questions that are presented.

    Read all 15 answers

Student Body

Students

53%

female

47%

male

19,799

Total Undergrad Enrollment

2,916

Total Grad Students

1%

Out-Of-State

98%

In-State

1%

International

Organizations

350

Student Organizations

20

Fraternities

20

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

28%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
35%
% Black or African-American
4%
% Hispanic/Latino
40%
% White or Caucasian
12%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

85% of students attending University of California-Riverside receive some sort of financial aid. 53% were awarded federal grants. While 52% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$40,263

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$1,716

Books and Supplies

$14,607

Room and Board

56,586

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$8,854
$30 - $48K
$9,639
$48 - $75K
$11,685
$75 - $110K
$18,190
$110K & UP
$26,882

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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