University Of California-Riverside

University of California-Riverside admits 63.3% of applicants, meaning roughly 3 in 5 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places UC Riverside in the Moderately Selective tier, making it more accessible than many UC system campuses while maintaining academic standards.

The peer median admission rate of 78.1% indicates UC Riverside is more selective than typical public research universities, accepting nearly 15 percentage points fewer applicants than peer institutions. This moderate selectivity reflects UC Riverside's position within the competitive UC system while remaining more accessible than flagship campuses like UC Berkeley or UCLA.

For prospective students, this admission rate suggests qualified applicants have reasonable chances of acceptance, but the application process still requires competitive academic credentials. Students should view UC Riverside as a realistic option within the UC system while building comprehensive college lists that include both more and less selective alternatives.

The institution's 88.2% retention rate, well above the peer median of 83.7%, indicates that admitted students are well-prepared for the academic environment. Applicants should research specific program requirements, as some majors may be more competitive than the overall admission rate suggests, particularly in high-demand fields like Computer Science and Engineering.

UC Riverside's published cost of attendance reaches $34,975 annually, including $14,170 in-state tuition, $19,433 for room and board, and $1,748 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays just $13,707 after financial aid, representing savings of $21,268 through institutional and federal aid programs.

This net price places UC Riverside below the peer median of $15,590, making it $1,883 more affordable than comparable public research universities. The substantial difference between sticker price and actual cost reflects UC Riverside's commitment to affordability through comprehensive financial aid packaging.

For California residents, the relatively modest in-state tuition combined with generous aid programs creates accessible pathways to a UC education. Out-of-state students face higher published tuition of $44,947, though financial aid can significantly reduce actual costs depending on family income and circumstances.

The institution's position within the UC system provides access to extensive state and institutional aid programs designed to support California residents and promote educational accessibility across economic backgrounds. Net price varies significantly by family income, with the lowest-income students paying substantially less than the average while higher-income families approach closer to published costs.

UC Riverside graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth throughout their early careers. Median earnings increase from $48,593 six years after enrollment to $59,554 at eight years and $67,699 at ten years, representing 39.3% growth from the six-year mark.

These outcomes are based on substantial cohorts of 5,013 graduates at six years, 5,370 at eight years, and 6,084 at ten years, providing high confidence in the reported figures. Graduates earn $8,891 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing UC Riverside in the 83.6th percentile for earnings uplift.

This value-added performance indicates the institution's effectiveness in enhancing student outcomes beyond what demographics and program mix would predict. Low-income graduates earn $56,400, demonstrating strong outcomes for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The earnings distribution from $42,680 to $95,385 reflects variation across academic programs and career choices. Approximately 24.8% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both immediate workforce entry and advanced education pathways.

Compared to peer institutions with similar student demographics, UC Riverside graduates earn $7,156 more annually, highlighting the institution's competitive advantage in post-graduation outcomes.

UC Riverside offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with sufficient federal earnings data for comprehensive analysis. Business Administration and Management leads enrollment with 715 graduates earning median salaries of $61,624, ranking #34 nationally and #10 in California with a value score of 90.3.

Behavioral Neuroscience graduates 600 students annually with median earnings of $25,654, ranking #37 nationally and #6 in California. Biology, General produces 543 graduates earning $44,091, ranking #126 nationally and #24 in California.

Applied/Public Sociology ranks #23 nationally and #12 in California, graduating 339 students with median earnings of $45,734 and an exceptional value score of 90.9. Cinematography and Film/Video Production stands out with a #5 national ranking and #3 California ranking, graduating 185 students with median earnings of $41,093 and an outstanding value score of 94.0.

General Studies achieves the highest value score at 97.2, ranking #6 nationally and #2 in California with 142 graduates earning $53,198. These programs demonstrate UC Riverside's strength across diverse academic disciplines while maintaining strong employment outcomes.