About

About University of California-Riverside

public research universityhigh research activityinclusive admissionsstrong social sciencesuc system school

University of California-Riverside is a public research university in Riverside, CA, known for its public research university, high research activity, and inclusive admissions. With an acceptance rate of 69%, UCR is accessible for most qualified applicants, typically enrolling around 5,573 students each year. UCR is test optional; submitting a strong score can strengthen an application, though it is not required for consideration. UCR meets 100% of demonstrated financial need and has replaced loans with grants; for families earning under $100,000, the net cost is often $0.

Admissions

University of California-Riverside acceptance rate and admitted student profile

accessible for most qualified applicants

69%
Overall Accept Rate
3.75
Typical Admitted GPA
GPATypical admitted range: 3.50 – 4.00 unweighted

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Application Strategy

Strategy tips for applying to University of California-Riverside

The first 2 tips apply to all applicants. Your personalized strategy requires your profile — build your free list to unlock it.

Essay Strategy
UCR places heavy emphasis on the UC Personal Insight Questions, so treat all eight prompts seriously and choose the four that let you show concrete growth, identity, or contribution rather than just listing achievements. Reviewers at UCR are looking for authentic stories that reflect who you are beyond your transcript.
Application Strategy
If you are interested in science or engineering, specifically mention UCR's research opportunities like the Bourns College of Engineering programs or the Agricultural and Natural Resources research centers, because showing you know what makes UCR unique strengthens your application narrative.

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Financial Aid & Cost

What University of California-Riverside actually costs your family

Average net prices by income bracket from College Scorecard data.

Loan-free financial aid: University of California-Riverside has replaced all loans with grants. For families earning under $100,000, the average net annual cost is $0. University of California-Riverside's sticker price of ~$66k/year bears almost no resemblance to what most families pay.
Family IncomeSticker PriceEst. Net Cost / yr
0-30kOften $0~$66k/yr~$0 / yr
30k-48kOften $0~$66k/yr~$0 / yr
48k-75kOften $0~$66k/yr~$0 / yr
75k-110k~$66k/yr$16.6k
110k+~$66k/yr$30.4k

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Outcomes & Campus

Student outcomes and campus profile

77%
6-Year Graduation Rate
$49k
Median Earnings (6 yrs)
22:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
22,012
Undergrad Enrollment
University of California-Riverside Acceptance Rate & Admissions | SpearMatch