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Summary
University of California--Riverside is a public institution that was founded in 1954. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 18,242, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 1,200 acres. It utilizes a quarter-based academic calendar. University of California--Riverside's ranking in the 2012 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 97. Its in-state tuition and fees are $11,851 (2011-12); out-of-state tuition and fees are $34,729 (2011-12).
Despite its setting in Southern California, UCR has a distinctly Scottish feel. All residence halls at the University of California—Riverside are named for landmarks in Scotland, including Aberdeen-Inverness and Pentland Hills. Student athletes compete as UCR Highlanders in the NCAA Division I Big West Conference. The school’s original mascot was a live Scottish terrier; today, sports teams are supported by a kilt-clad bear named Scotty. Members of the student Pep Band don plaid berets and sashes as they play the “Brave Scots” fight song at sports matches, and students who play the bagpipes or drums can join the school’s Pipe Band as well. More than 70 percent of UCR students are commuters, and freshmen do not have to live on campus. Students may want to hang around after class, however, for notable annual events like the fall Block Party and Spring Splash. There are more than 300 student organizations to check out, too, including about 40 fraternities and sororities. Freshmen can ease into college with the help of the First Year Success Series, a combination of seminars and workshops that teach students study and time management skills. Riverside is in an ideal location for roadtrips, with Disneyland and Orange County within a 40 mile drive and Los Angeles about 60 miles away.
UCR is one of 10 schools in the public state system, and was the official UC Citrus Experiment Station before becoming a university. In the years since, faculty researchers have bred several new types of fruit, including the Melogold grapefruit and the Golden Nugget orange. Today, the university offers well-regarded graduate programs through the Bourns College of Engineering and Graduate School of Education. Notable alumni include Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist Steve Breen, best-selling mystery novel author Elizabeth George, and Nobel Prize-winning chemist Richard Schrock.
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UC Riverside is a living laboratory for groundbreaking exploration of issues critical to Inland Southern California, the state and communities around the world. We are located in one of the fastest growing regions in a state whose economy ranks among nations. With a population of more than 19,000 students, UCR is the most diverse campus in the prestigious 10 campus UC system, and is the fifth most diverse university in the nation. UCR has a history of giving first-generation college-goers a jump-start toward achieving their dreams, enabling social and economic mobility. We inspire our students to expand their horizons, and we equip them to succeed. Whether they're aiming for graduate or professional school or they plan a career after college, UCR is the right place to help students achieve their goals. With an annual statewide economic impact of nearly $1 billion, UCR is actively shaping the region's future. Our recently opened satellite in Palm Desert includes an innovative entrepreneurial MBA, and graduate programs in the arts. Plans include opening a medical school that will bring a higher level of care to our community and carry UCR's tradition of applicable innovation into the realm of health care. More than just a place of discovery, we've earned a reputation for translating fundamental knowledge into actionable solutions. By applying our distinct strengths and advantages strategically, we carry forward the UC system's tradition of public service. Whether in entomology, engineering, or new voices in literature, UCR is contributing to the wider world. |
General Information
| School type | public, coed college |
| Year founded | 1954 |
| Religious affiliation | N/A |
| Academic calendar | quarter |
| Setting | urban |
| 2010 Endowment | $199,167,000 |
Applying
When applying to University of California--Riverside, it's important to note the application deadline is November 30. Scores for either the ACT or SAT test are due December 31. The application fee at University of California--Riverside is $60. It is more selective, with an acceptance rate of 76.3 percent.
For more information about the tests, essays, interviews, and admissions process, visit the Applying to College knowledge center.
| Selectivity | more selective |
| Fall 2010 acceptance rate | 76% |
| Application deadline | November 30 |
| SAT/ACT scores must be received by | December 31 |
Academic Life
The student-faculty ratio at University of California--Riverside is 18:1, and the school has 37.3 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at University of California--Riverside include: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Social Sciences; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Psychology; and Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 85.2 percent.
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| Student-faculty ratio | 18:1 | ||||||||||
| 4-year graduation rate | 44% - Medium | ||||||||||
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Student Life
University of California--Riverside has a total undergraduate enrollment of 18,242, with a gender distribution of 48.3 percent male students and 51.7 percent female students. 32.0 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 68.0 percent of students live off campus. University of California--Riverside is part of the NCAA I athletic conference.
See what students are saying about life at University of California--Riverside.
| Total enrollment | 20,746 |
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| Collegiate athletic association | NCAA I |
Campus Info & Services
University of California--Riverside offers a number of student services including nonremedial tutoring, women's center, placement service, day care, health service, and health insurance. University of California--Riverside also offers campus safety and security services like 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, late night transport/escort service, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways/sidewalks, student patrols, and controlled dormitory access (key, security card, etc). Of the students at University of California--Riverside, 90 percent have cars on campus. Alcohol is not permitted for students of legal age at University of California--Riverside.
| Students who have cars on campus | 90% - High |
| Health insurance offered | Yes |
| Students required to own/lease a computer | No |
More About Campus Info & Services
Paying for School
At University of California--Riverside, 74.3 percent of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $15,329.
Paying for college doesn't have to be difficult or devastating. Go to the Paying for College knowledge center to get advice on raising cash and reducing costs.
| In-state tuition and fees | $11,851 (2011-12) |
| Out-of-state tuition and fees | $34,729 (2011-12) |
| Room and board | $12,100 (2011-12) - High |
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* Overview details based on 2010 data
