Public
Accredited · Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
Riverside, California
63.3% Acceptance Rate
University of California-Riverside — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
63.3%Acceptance Rate
3.84Avg GPA
1180Avg SAT
$34,975Annual Cost
$67,699Grad Salary
46.7%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
63.3%
Avg GPA
3.84
Avg SAT
1180
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1140–1210
Avg Net Price
$13,707
Need-Based Aid
46.7% receive Pell
The University of California, Riverside, established in 1954, is a premier public research university and member of the world-renowned UC system, ranked among the top national universities by U.S. News. UCR offers 80+ undergraduate programs across three colleges, with particular strengths in engineering, agriculture, and the humanities. The university's 1,200-acre campus features modern facilities including the $75 million School of Medicine Education Building and the recently completed Student Success Center. UCR is classified as an R1 research institution with leadership in citrus research, nanotechnology, and climate science.
UCR's location in Southern California's Inland Empire provides access to Los Angeles and Orange County while offering more affordable living costs. The university's Highlanders compete in NCAA Division I athletics in the Big West Conference. UCR is recognized for its diversity and social mobility impact, with many first-generation college students. The campus features extensive botanical gardens and hosts cultural events through the Culver Center for the Arts. UCR's research parks and business incubators foster innovation and entrepreneurship in the region.
University of California-Riverside Acceptance Rate
At 63.3%, admission to University of California-Riverside is achievable for most students who meet the basic academic profile.
What UC Riverside Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 63.3% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.84 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.64 – 3.83
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.39
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University of California-Riverside Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark December 1 for University of California-Riverside.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 128 days left — Regular Decision (single cycle; no EA/ED)
Regular Decision (single cycle; no EA/ED)
December 1
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
UC Riverside GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at UC Riverside is 3.84. That makes admissions here extremely selective. Most admitted students carry straight A's, with very little room for a B.
If your GPA sits between 3.54 and 3.84, a high SAT or ACT score is the most reliable way to compensate.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 4.04–4.24.UC Riverside GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective — this GPA sits within the typical admitted band.
Recommended Strategy: A top-5th-percentile SAT/ACT score makes the strongest case here.
This range is a rough map — where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.84 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.64 – 3.83
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.44 – 3.63
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.43
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- UC application uses 4 of 8 Personal Insight Questions, 350 words each - not the Common App.
- Test-blind: UCR does not consider SAT/ACT for admission or scholarships even if submitted.
- Minimum GPA for admission eligibility is 3.0 for CA residents / 3.4 for non-residents, calculated from grades 10?11 A-G coursework only.
- UCR admits directly by major; Engineering and Natural/Agricultural Sciences majors are more selective than the campus average, with an alternate-major backup option available.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself — a 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average — the trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at UC Riverside
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from University of California-Riverside's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
University of California-Riverside (UC Riverside) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at UC Riverside — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into UC Riverside Without SAT or ACT?
UC Riverside neither requires nor recommends test scores. Submit yours only if it's above the state or national average — otherwise, leaving it off works in your favor.
University of California-Riverside Average SAT Score: 1180
Admitted students at University of California-Riverside average a 1180 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1180 — Less Competitive
A 1180 average leaves meaningful room above it for a competitive application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1210 SAT) to stand out. Below average? University of California-Riverside allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1140? A retake is worth it at UC Riverside — two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1180 | 1140 | 1210 |
A score under 1140 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1210+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1200
Can I get into University of California-Riverside (UC Riverside) with a 1200 SAT?
At 1200, your SAT is squarely in UC Riverside's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file — GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for UC Riverside
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into UC Riverside isn't the hard part — building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Pick your 4 of 8 Personal Insight Questions based on your strongest concrete material, not perceived prestige
UC states explicitly that no PIQ is weighted more than another. Choose the four where you have the most specific stories, not the ones that "sound most impressive."
Write direct, concrete answers - not literary personal-statement prose
UC has asked applicants to stop treating PIQs like essays; each is capped at 350 words and rewards clear, specific answers over polished narrative writing. Recycling a Common App personal statement voice into a PIQ often backfires.
Choose your first-choice major strategically since UCR admits by major
UCR doesn't admit "undeclared then sort you later" - you're evaluated for the major you list. Majors in the Bourns College of Engineering and the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences run more selective than the campus average, so use UCR's alternate-major option if your first choice is highly competitive.
If Business Administration interests you, know UCR is a rare option
UCR is one of only three UC campuses (with Berkeley and Irvine) offering an undergraduate Business Administration degree, and the only UC offering undergraduate Creative Writing and Public Policy - worth naming directly if these are genuine interests, since it signals real research into fit.
Expert Insight:
Applicants sometimes list a highly competitive major (like Engineering or Business) as their only choice and skip the alternate-major field entirely - at UCR that alternate-major option is the main safety net if your first choice is oversubscribed, so leaving it blank removes a real second chance.
UC Riverside Profile
Full Name
University of California-Riverside (UC Riverside)
City
Riverside
State
California
ZIP Code
92521
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission (WASCSR)
Is a UC Riverside Degree Worth It?
Whether UC Riverside is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals — here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $68,300, and graduates see a 4.39% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from UC Riverside Cost?
Listed tuition runs $34,975/year at UC Riverside; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land closer to $13,707.
At UC Riverside, 46.7% receive a Pell Grant and 32.8% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming UC Riverside on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a UC Riverside Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, UC Riverside graduates report a median income of $67,699, about 67% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than University of California-Riverside. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
| Lynn University | Boca Raton, FL | 1136 | 25 |
| Florida International University | Miami, FL | 1154 | 23 |
| University of West Florida | Pensacola, FL | 1137 | 24 |
| Georgia College & State University | Milledgeville, GA | 1150 | 24 |
| Georgia State University | Atlanta, GA | 1149 | 23 |
| Toccoa Falls College | Toccoa Falls, GA | 1155 | 23 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of California-Riverside. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| University of New Haven | West Haven, CT | 1190 | NA |
| Nova Southeastern University | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 1182 | 25 |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah, GA | 1178 | 25 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of California-Riverside. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
Degree Programs at UC Riverside
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About UC Riverside Admissions
University of California-Riverside graduates earn a moderate median salary of $67,699/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at University of California-Riverside is moderate, around $34,975/year; many students supplement with aid.
46.7% of University of California-Riverside students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income — filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
University of California-Riverside's acceptance rate is 63.3%, comparatively higher than most selective universities — admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted University of California-Riverside students is 3.84, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.54 puts you in the standard applicant pool at University of California-Riverside. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.44 or below makes admission tougher at University of California-Riverside, but strong test scores, activities, and essays — plus AP/IB coursework — can still keep you in contention.
University of California-Riverside weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1180, and within the 1140–1210 range, keeps you competitive.
University of California-Riverside's deadline is December 1.
University of California-Riverside charges an application fee of 80; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out — plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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