The University of California-Riverside (also known as UC-Riverside or UCR) is a public research university in suburban Riverside, California. Originally founded as an agricultural research institution, UC-Riverside began enrolling undergraduates in its College of Letters and Sciences in 1954 to meet the demand created by the GI Bill for educational opportunities for World War II veterans. The school ranks among the most diverse in the country, both ethnically and in terms of socioeconomic status, and offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs.
Mission/Vision
UC-Riverside’s mission stresses research, teaching, and service. Through scientific research and outreach to the community, the university attempts to make the world a better place both regionally and internationally. Students are encouraged to volunteer their time in community outreach programs, and the school’s devotion to diversity and service have made it a first-choice for many LGBT and minority applicants.
Campus Setting
The UC-Riverside’s main campus is situated on 1,900 acres of land in Riverside, California. The college has three main residence halls with a capacity for approximately 3,000 students, though the majority of students live off-campus in the surrounding area. UC-Riverside also operates a small satellite campus in Palm Desert.
Academics
UC-Riverside offers more than 80 majors across five colleges: the Bournes College of Engineering, the College of Humanities, Arts, and Sciences, the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, the School of Business Administration, and the School of Public Policy. Popular majors include psychology, computer science, business administration, and biology.
UC-Riverside’s graduate program includes over 50 Master’s and over 40 PhD programs. The Graduate School of Education and the A. Gary Anderson Graduate School of Management offer particularly strong programs. In addition, the University opened a new medical school in 2013.
Athletics
The UC-Riverside Highlanders compete in the Division I Big West Conference. Varsity sports include men’s and women’s basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, and track, as well as men’s baseball and women’s softball and volleyball.
Tuition & Financial Aid
Annual tuition at UC- Riverside is affordable for in-state students and expensive for those coming from out of state. The University offers a wide variety of financial aid packages based on both academic excellence and economic need. These include loans, grants, scholarships, and work-study programs. Please refer to the school’s website for the most up-to-date tuition and financial aid information.
Accreditation
UC-Riverside is accredited regionally by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Its Psychology PhD programs are accredited by the American Psychological Association.
Admissions
Admission to UC-Riverside is competitive. The University requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 for California residents and 3.4 for nonresidents. In addition, prospective students must have completed four years of high school English, three years each of mathematics and laboratory science, and two years each of history and foreign language instruction. In the fall of 2017, UCR admitted 57% of 43,662 applicants.
Applications are typically due in the end of November and require a $70 fee ($80 for international students), as well as an online application, standardized test scores, high school transcripts and letters of recommendation, and a personal statement.
For more information or to schedule a visit, please contact UC-Riverside directly at:
admissions@ucr.edu
UCR Admissions
3106 Student Services Building
900 University Ave.
Riverside, CA 92521
Phone: (951) 827-3411
Fax: (951) 827-6344
