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

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

University of California-Riverside REVIEWS

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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.

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

152 Students rated University of California-Riverside

Cynthia

"UCR is never anyone's first choice." That is what my peer mentor told me during a one-on-one meeting with her. It might sound disheartening or rude, but it's not necessarily untrue. I know it was true for me. I knew from the beginning that I wanted to go to a UC, but as a child I would dream of UCLA or UC Berkeley. While it was not my first choice, I wasn't devastated to be attending UCR; in fact, I chose it over other schools that I had previously ranked higher in my 'List of College's I Want To Attend'. I am so glad that I decided to go to UCR because I am truly having the best college experience that I could have ever asked for. Like most freshman, I was terrified of what my professors would be like and obsessively looked them up on ratemyproffesors.com to try to ensure that I would get the best education I could. I did not find all of them, but I had nothing to worry about. All of my professors were very kind and patient and always available during office hours if anyone ever had questions on any of the materials we needed. I even had great experiences with my TA's, who could relate to my struggles a bit more due to them still being students themselves. Going to their office hours, especially my math TA, helped me understand the what was going on in class a lot better. The university is also filled with resources that can help improve anyone's college experience. Some examples include the tutoring at the ARC that really helped me in my math class, the 'Coffee Chats' with experienced individuals that really got me thinking about my future in business, and the destressing activities during finals week that made dealing with the end of the quarter more manageable. As for the more fun things, I live in the dorms, more specifically Aberdeen-Inverness, and it is honestly one of the best decisions I have made. All the dorms have their up's and down's and are all very comfortable, but I am biased towards A-I. It has it's own residential diner, which is very convenient, the gym is right across the street, it is a very social place, so it is easy to make friends, and it is the closest to the actual campus, which makes it very difficult to be late to class. The food at the residential restaurants and at the restaurants on campus are all very tasty and there is a lot of variety so it is difficult to get tired of it. However, if you do, there are plenty of delicious places to get food in the University Village, which is a very short walk from campus. Even better, there are plenty of great places to eat in the Downtown Riverside and Moreno Valley areas, all of which are short bus rides away. The bus is free for all UCR students to use, which is great for first-year dormers, as they are not allowed to have a car. All in all, I think that UCR unfairly gets a bad reputation. The education, the resources, the housing, and the social life are all great, from what I have seen, and I am so excited to spend three more years at my university.

David

I find the University of California to be a great place of higher education. I am not expecting an expensive campus (it's a state school after all) or any "big name" professors, and even with our those things UCR does impress me. The students on campus are INCREDIBLY polite, almost to the point I felt that striking up a conversation was incredibly easy. Clubs and Organizations are fun, but never feel oppressive with their commitments. Overall, find UCR highly enjoyable.

Jocelyn

I’ve been in this school for a year now and know more about this school than I did when I first came to UC Riverside during the fall. I lived in on campus and based on the experience I had, I can say with confidence that it really helps to interact with the people you live with. Not only does talking to the people in the dorms but also in your class. The people here are pretty friendly and most can be helpful. The staff and people working in the University are also very helpful and make their best effort to assist your needs. The professors are genuinely great and have enjoyed their classes. They take their time to explain things and when they have their office hours, it is the most helpful, especially if you are confused of anything. The T.A.s’ I’ve had were also very helpful and did their best to get us students to understand materials of the lectures if needed. The University in general was able to build a good atmosphere for my learning experience. The clubs are pretty helpful and entertaining. I like the little live shows that happen, usually the performances are either from the local community or students of Riverside. Yet, it is still interesting to see how the performances are still very entertaining and makes one see how many people are yet to be heard. Not only are the live shows good, but the plays and musical performances they have here are able to be performed very nicely and I’ve come to like them on a personal level. Overall, this school has made me feel more comfortable and easier for me to study here.

Sean

I really enjoy attending the University of California, Riverside. As a biochemistry major, the university does a fine job of making my school-related needs a priority. The faculty are very knowledgeable and mostly approachable, and the student body is a great melting pot of diversity. These four years as an undergraduate are flying by, and I wouldn't want to spend them anywhere else.

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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