Students at UC Riverside earn substantially more than similar students at other institutions, with graduates seeing an $8,891 earnings advantage that places the university among the top performers nationally.
This exceptional return combines with strong affordability and proven success in supporting low-income and first-generation students toward meaningful economic mobility.
Azimuth ranks the University of California-Riverside among the top public universities nationwide for overall value, placing it in the 81st percentile nationally. What makes UC Riverside distinctive is its exceptional ability to deliver strong earnings outcomes while maintaining broad accessibility — nearly 47% of students receive Pell Grants and 48% are first-generation college students, yet graduates consistently achieve earnings that exceed expectations by substantial margins.
UC Riverside graduates earn a median of $67,699 ten years after enrollment, with the university delivering an impressive $8,891 earnings advantage compared with similar students at other institutions. This performance reflects both the strength of UC Riverside's academic programs — particularly in business, engineering, and the sciences — and its location in Southern California's diverse economy, where graduates can access opportunities across multiple high-growth sectors.
As a large public research university in the UC system, UC Riverside combines the academic rigor and resources of a major research institution with a commitment to serving California's diverse student population. The university's designation as a "Mobility Engine" underscores its rare ability to provide broad access while consistently delivering the kind of long-term financial outcomes that transform students' economic trajectories.
UC Riverside's program portfolio balances breadth with clear strengths in high-return fields. Business Administration dominates both in scale and economic impact, graduating 715 students who contribute nearly $28 million in aggregate return through solid early-career earnings. Biology remains the second-largest program with 543 graduates, providing a foundation for students pursuing healthcare, research, and graduate study pathways.
Engineering programs deliver the university's highest individual earnings outcomes. Computer Engineering graduates earn $69,617 early in their careers from a focused cohort of 49 students, demonstrating the premium that technical skills command in Southern California's technology sector. Other engineering disciplines show similar strength, consistently producing graduates who enter well-paying careers in aerospace, technology, and infrastructure development.
The university's location in the Inland Empire provides graduates with access to diverse career opportunities across Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego metropolitan areas. This geographic advantage, combined with UC system academic credibility, helps explain why UC Riverside graduates across multiple fields consistently achieve earnings that exceed national expectations for similar students.
Graduates of UC Riverside achieve strong long-term financial outcomes that consistently exceed expectations. Ten years after enrollment, they earn a median of $67,699, and the university delivers one of the most substantial earnings advantages we track — graduates earn about $8,891 more than similar students at other institutions nationwide. This earnings boost places UC Riverside in the top 20% of public universities for long-term return on investment, reflecting both strong academic preparation and access to Southern California's robust job market.
Program-level outcomes vary significantly, with Business Administration leading both in scale and aggregate return — 715 graduates earn a median of $39,087 early in their careers, creating substantial economic impact. Computer Engineering delivers the highest individual earnings at $69,617 for 49 graduates, while Biology remains the second-largest program with 543 graduates earning $23,391. The university's strength spans multiple fields, from engineering and computer science to business and the life sciences, providing students with diverse pathways to strong career outcomes.
UC Riverside's location in Southern California enhances earning potential, as graduates enter a large metropolitan job market with opportunities across technology, healthcare, business services, and emerging industries. The combination of UC system academic quality, diverse program offerings, and regional economic access helps explain why UC Riverside graduates consistently outperform earnings expectations by such substantial margins.
UC Riverside delivers exceptional affordability across all income levels, making it one of the most accessible options in the UC system. Low-income students pay just $8,240 annually in net price, well below national averages and placing the university in the top tier for affordability. Middle-income families see costs around $12,449 per year, while even high-income families pay $29,624 — reasonable for a UC campus and significantly less than many comparable research universities.
The university's financial aid structure effectively reduces barriers for students from diverse economic backgrounds. With nearly half of students receiving Pell Grants, UC Riverside demonstrates a strong commitment to making higher education accessible to low-income families. The combination of federal aid, state support, and institutional scholarships creates a pricing model that allows students to focus on academics rather than financial stress.
Debt levels remain manageable relative to the strong earnings outcomes graduates achieve. Most borrowers can handle standard repayment comfortably given UC Riverside's median graduate earnings of $67,699, and the university's track record of supporting students through completion helps ensure that borrowed funds translate into degree completion and career success rather than financial burden without credentials.
University Of California-Riverside Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
