University of California-Riverside
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and families looking for lower cost. no major red flags in the data. solid earnings of $55,300 within 10 years; strong 76% graduation rate.
About This School
University of California-Riverside is a public institution located in Riverside, California with approximately 22,593 undergraduate students enrolled. University of California-Riverside has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 76%. The average net price after financial aid is $14,304 per year. The graduation rate is 76%, and the typical graduate earns $55,300 within 10 years of enrollment.
The University of California, Riverside is a public land-grant research university in Riverside, California, United States. It is one of the ten campuses of the University of California system. The main campus sits on 1,900 acres (769 ha) in a suburban district of Riverside with a branch campus of 20 acres (8 ha) in Palm Desert. In 1907, the predecessor to UCR was founded as the UC Citrus Experiment Station, which conducted research in biological pest control and the use of growth regulators.
As one of the UC system's more accessible campuses with a 63% acceptance rate, this is a strong option for students who want a legitimate research university without the brutal odds of UCLA or Berkeley. The financial picture is reasonable — median debt of $17,500 is modest, and $55,300 in median earnings after 10 years is solid, though not exceptional. The 77% graduation rate is worth watching; it's not alarming, but it does suggest that a meaningful number of students don't finish, so incoming students should plan intentionally around academic support and staying on track.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
What This School Looks For
From the school's most recent Common Data Set (2024-25). What the admissions office actually weighs:
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 13% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (22,593 undergraduates).
In the Classroom & On Campus
Class size distribution
Source: University of California-Riverside Common Data Set (2024-25).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in California
California State University-Fullerton
Fullerton, CA · Public
California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach, CA · Public
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA · Public
University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA · Public
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA · Public
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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