CAMPUS · RIVERSIDE, CA · PUBLIC

UC Riverside

University of California-Riverside

63.3%

01Acceptance 02Tuition 03Transfer 04ROI 05AP Credit 06Majors 07Housing 08International

FIT

SAFETY

UC Riverside is a safety for most applicants.

Score reflects acceptance odds × cost × outcome quality.

ACCEPTANCE

63.3%

of 62,807 applicants

SALARY · 10-YR

$67,699

across all majors

UC Riverside at a Glance

63.3%

Acceptance Rate

28,886

Total Enrollment

$67,699

Median Salary (10yr)

$17,500

Median Debt

47.0%

Pell Grant Rate

UC Riverside Rankings

Ranking	2025	Year
US News National Universities	#76	2025
ARWU (Shanghai)	#151	2024

UC Riverside Overview

University of California-Riverside is a public university in Riverside, CA with 28,886 students. With a 63.3% acceptance rate, most students who meet the requirements are admitted. The most popular majors are Biological Sciences, Social Sciences, and Business/Marketing. Graduates earn a median of $67,699 ten years after enrollment.

Full Name	University of California-Riverside
Location	Riverside, CA 92521
Type	Public
Website	ucr.edu/
Total Enrollment	28,886
Undergrad Enrollment	24,777
Female Students	51.8%

How Much Do APs Matter at UC Riverside?

AP Impact Score: 50/100

APs are considered but not decisive at UC Riverside. Focus on GPA and overall application strength.

What UC Riverside Values in Admissions (CDS Data)

From the Common Data Set — what UC Riverside officially says matters in admission decisions.

Factor	Importance
Academic Gpa	Very Important
Rigor Of Secondary School Record	Very Important
Class Rank	Considered
Standardized Test Scores	Important
Application Essay	Very Important
Recommendation	Not Considered
Extracurricular Activities	Important
Talent Ability	Important
Character Personal Qualities	Important
First Generation	Considered
Alumni Relation	Not Considered
Interview	Not Considered
Work Experience	Considered
Volunteer Work	Important

Best AP Classes to Take for UC Riverside

Based on UC Riverside's most popular majors and admission priorities, these AP courses are most valuable:

For Biological Sciences (19% of students)

AP Biology
AP Chemistry
AP Statistics

For Social Sciences (18% of students)

AP U.S. History
AP Government
AP Economics (Macro/Micro)

For Psychology (10% of students)

AP Psychology
AP Statistics
AP Biology

For Engineering (7% of students)

AP Calculus BC
AP Physics C: Mechanics
AP Physics C: E&M
AP Chemistry

AP Strategy for UC Riverside Applicants

3-5 strong AP courses is solid

UC Riverside values AP coursework as evidence of academic preparation. Focus on scoring well (4-5).

Score high for credit

Most colleges require a 4 or 5 to grant credit. AP credits can save you a semester of tuition — that's $15,000-$30,000 in real savings.

Match APs to your intended major

Admissions officers notice when your AP choices align with your stated interests.

UC Riverside True Cost by Family Income

Sticker price doesn't tell the full story at UC Riverside. Families earning $0-30k pay around $8,852 per year after aid, while those in the $110k+ bracket pay about $30,393. 47% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating UC Riverside enrolls a meaningful share of lower-income students. Median debt at graduation is $17,500, which is reasonable against the $48,593 typical early-career salary.

Family Income	Annual Net Price	4-Year Total
$0-30k	$8,852	$35,408
$30-48k	$9,840	$39,360
$48-75k	$13,111	$52,444
$75-110k	$16,571	$66,284
$110k+	$30,393	$121,572

Cost Breakdown

Room & Board	$19,433
Total Cost of Attendance	$38,942

Popular Majors at UC Riverside

The most popular fields of study, ranked by the number of degrees awarded.

Biological Sciences

19.0%

Social Sciences

18.0%

Business/Marketing

14.0%

Psychology

10.0%

Engineering

6.8%

Best Majors at UC Riverside →

Student Demographics

White

10.9%

Black/African American

3.3%

Hispanic/Latino

39.1%

Asian

35.7%

International

4.1%

How to Get Into UC Riverside

UC Riverside is a Safety school for most students who meet the basic requirements. Don't let the higher acceptance rate fool you — UC Riverside still offers strong programs and outcomes. Graduates earn $67,699 within 10 years, making it a solid return on investment.

63.3%

Acceptance Rate

62,807

Total Applicants

What UC Riverside Values Most in Applicants

Admission factor importance from the Common Data Set — what the school officially says matters.

Factor	Importance
Academic Gpa	Very Important
Rigor Of Secondary School Record	Very Important
Class Rank	Considered
Standardized Test Scores	Important
Application Essay	Very Important
Recommendation	Not Considered
Extracurricular Activities	Important
Talent Ability	Important
Character Personal Qualities	Important
First Generation	Considered
Alumni Relation	Not Considered
Interview	Not Considered
Work Experience	Considered
Volunteer Work	Important

GPA Profile of Admitted Students at UC Riverside

High school GPA distribution of enrolled freshmen, from the Common Data Set.

3.75+

60.8%

3.50–3.74

23.8%

3.25–3.49

11.9%

3.00–3.24

3.1%

UC Riverside Application Deadlines & Requirements

Key dates for the UC Riverside UC admission cycle. Mark these on your calendar — missing a deadline means waiting another year.

Deadline	Date
Regular Decision	Nov 30
Financial Aid (FAFSA/CSS)	Mar 2

UC System: All University of California campuses share the same application deadline. Submit one UC Application for all UC schools.

Financial Aid & Student Debt

47.0%

Pell Grant Recipients

Students from low-income families

$17,500

Median Debt at Graduation

Federal loans only

$48,593

Median Earnings (6yr)

6 years after enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions About UC Riverside

What is UC Riverside's acceptance rate?

UC Riverside has an acceptance rate of 63.3%, making it accessible to most qualified applicants. This rate reflects freshman applicants for the most recent admissions cycle.

What are the most popular majors at UC Riverside?

The most popular majors at UC Riverside by degrees awarded are: Biological Sciences (19.0%), Social Sciences (18.0%), Business/Marketing (14.0%), Psychology (10.0%), Engineering (6.8%). These percentages reflect undergraduate degrees conferred in the most recent reporting year.

How much do UC Riverside graduates earn?

UC Riverside graduates earn a median salary of $67,699 ten years after enrollment, based on federal data. Actual earnings vary significantly by major — STEM and business graduates typically earn more, while arts and education graduates earn less.

Is UC Riverside worth the cost?

With median earnings of $67,699 (10yr post-enrollment) and median debt of $17,500, The earning potential strongly outweighs the typical debt, making UC Riverside a solid investment for most students. Always compare the net price (after aid) to expected earnings in your intended field.