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University of California-Riverside

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University Guide

About University of California-Riverside

Explore overview, courses, fees, admissions, campus life, scholarships and student accommodation guidance in one premium Admistay guide.

University of California Riverside, also known as UC Riverside, is a public research university established in 1907. It was initially named Citrus Research Station and later renamed to University of California Riverside in 1954 after receiving university status. UC Riverside ranks among the world's top 500 universities by THE, QS as per 2025 rankings. It also ranks among the top 100 universities in USA by Forbes and U.S News National Universities Rankings 2025.

University of California Riverside is currently a home to 26,000 students, including international students from 90 countries. Around 2,370 international students are studying in nearly 180 undergraduate and graduate programs. As an International student at UC Riverside, you are eligible for numerous scholarships, on campus & off campus employment along with housing facilities on campus. The employment opportunities at UC Riverside are available in the form of part-time jobs, internships, and optional practical training programs.

To secure admissions at University of California Riverside, Indian students must achieve 70% in Class 12h CBSE or Indian State Board for undergraduate admissions. For graduate admissions, a minimum GPA of 3.0 (85%). Those applying for top courses must achieve a GPA between 3.2-3.6 (87-91%) for better admission chances. Coming to UC Riverside fees, $14,436 (₹12.34 lakhs) is the annual tuition fee for undergraduate programs and $18,688 (₹15.98 lakhs) for graduate programs.

Also Check: UC Riverside Student Review

Table of Contents
  1. University of California Riverside Rankings
  2. University of California Riverside Degrees and Courses
  3. University of California Riverside Admissions
  4. University of California Riverside Cost and Fees
  5. University of California Riverside Scholarships
  6. University of California Riverside: College Comparison
  7. FAQs

University of California Riverside Rankings

University of California Riverside ranks #=497 as per QS WUR 2025 while in THE Rankings it is positioned at #251-300 in 2025. Meanwhile, the U.S. News and World Report ranks in UC Riverside at #223 spots among Best Global Universities in 2024. The 2025 rankings of U.S. News not released yet. Coming to the national rankings of UC Riverside, it ranks #76 in U.S. News and #97 in Forbes.

UC Riverside


University of California Riverside Degrees and Courses

University of California Riverside offers 80+ undergraduate degrees, 55 master's degrees and 44 doctoral degrees through 6 undergraduate schools, and 4 professional schools. The most popular courses at UC Riverside include business analytics, business administration, mechanical engineering, computer science, education, biochemistry & molecular biology. Check out the detailed annual fee for such courses at undergraduate and graduate level:

University of California Riverside Top Graduate Programs

Top Programs Total Annual Fees (USD) Total Annual Fees (INR)
Master of Science [M.S], Biochemistry and Molecular Biology USD 41,418 ₹ 3546623
Master of Science [M.S], Chemical and Environmental Engineering USD 41,418 ₹ 3546623
Master of Education [M.Ed], Education with Teaching Emphasis USD 41,418 ₹ 3546623
Master of Science [M.S], Electrical Engineering - Robotics and Computer Vision - -
Master of Business Administration [M.B.A] USD 34,200 ₹ 2928546
Master of Science [M.S], Computer Engineering USD 46,297 ₹ 3964412
Master of Science [M.S], Business Analytics USD 68,044 ₹ 5826608

University of California Riverside Top Undergraduate Programs

Program Total Annual Fees (USD) Total Annual Fees (INR)
Bachelor of Business Administration [B.B.A] USD 40,852 ₹ 3824973
Bachelor of Science [B.S], Computer Engineering USD 19,562 ₹ 1831590
Bachelor of Science [B.S], Environmental Sciences - Environmental Toxicology USD 47,448 ₹ 4442556
Bachelor of Science [B.S], Pure Mathematics USD 19,562 ₹ 1831590
Bachelor of Science [B.S], Computational Mathematics USD 19,562 ₹ 1831590
Bachelor of Arts [B.A], Statistics USD 19,562 ₹ 1831590

University of California Riverside Admissions

University of California Riverside admissions are offered for international students in Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer intakes. International UG applicants can only apply for Fall intake as first year students. Graduate applicants can apply for any of the 4 intakes as per their convenience. Check out more detail about UC Riverside admissions including requirements, eligibility criteria and deadlines:

Particulars Undergraduate Admissions Graduate Admissions
Application Portal UC UG application UC Riverside Graduate Application
Application Fee $80 (₹6,842) All Graduate programs: $155 (₹13,257) | MBA, MFin, Master of Business Analytics and MPAc: $180 (₹15,395)
Academic Requirements High School 12th with 3.4 GPA or 85% or at least 70% in Indian Class 12th from CBSE/State Board Exam Bachelor’s degree with 3.0 GPA (85%)
Standardized Test Scores Nil GMAT: 608-655 | GRE- 300-319
English Language Scores TOEFL IBT- 80 | IELTS- 6.5 TOEFL IBT- 80 | IELTS- 7.0
Documents Required Nil
  • 3 letters of recommendation
  • Statement of purpose
  • Personal History statement
  • Work experience proof
    • Course prerequisite
    • Writing samples
    • Articles
    • Projects
Application Deadlines December 2, 2025
  • Fall: June 1, 2025
  • Winter: September 1, 2025
  • Spring: December 1, 2025
  • Summer: March 1, 2026

UC Riverside Campus 2


University of California Riverside Cost and Fees

Indian students at UC Riverside require a total annual budget of $43,603 (₹37.29 lakhs) for undergraduate programs and $51,734 (₹44.24 lakhs) for graduate programs. This cost includes annual tuition, on campus housing, cost of books, personal expenses, campus fee and health insurance. Given below is the breakdown of these costs for both undergraduate and graduate students:

Expenses Undergraduate Cost Graduate Cost
Tuition Fee $14,436 | ₹12.34 L $18,688 | ₹15.98 L
Campus Fee $1,169 | ₹99,984 $1,194 | ₹1.02 L
Health Insurance $2,382 | ₹2.03 L $7,174 | ₹6.13 L
Professional Association Fee - $12 | ₹1,026
Housing and Meal $20,691 | 17.69 L $20,691 | 17.69 L
Books and Supplies $1,575 | ₹1.34 L $1,575 | ₹1.34 L
Personal Expenses $2,400 | ₹2.05 L $2,400 | ₹2.05 L
Total Estimated Cost $43,603 | ₹37.29 L $51,734 | ₹44.24 L

Also Check: Cost of Studying in USA


University of California Riverside Scholarships

University of California Riverside offers a limited number of scholarships for international students at the undergraduate level. Some of the popular scholarships are as follows

Scholarship Name Eligibility Criteria Award Details
Non-Resident Achievement Scholarship 3.0 GPA (85%) $4,500/Quarterly
Chancellor's Scholarship Merit-based award for incoming undergraduate students with exceptional academic background $5,000
Marigold Linton Scholarship Undergraduate students with science or social science majors Need Financial Aid

Explore: Popular Scholarships to Study in USA

University of California Riverside: College Comparison

Let’s have compared University of California Riverside with other closely ranked universities in California across different categories:

Category University of California Riverside Pepperdine University University of California, Santa Cruz
Location Riverside, California Malibu, California Santa Cruz, California
College Type Public Private Public
U.S. News National Universities Rankings 2025 #76 #80 #84
U.S. News Public Schools Rankings 2025 #36 - #42
Acceptance Rate 70% 50% 61%
Average Graduate Salary (USD) $83,000 $84,000 $87,000

Choosing UC Riverside can be an ideal option for international students as it offers high quality education at a pretty cheap tuition rate. The university supports international students throughout their academic journey by offering access to exceptional facilities including on campus housing, student organizations, part-time job opportunities along with internships and co-op training.

FAQs

Ques. Why is UC Riverside one of the most desirable university to attend?

Ans. UC Riverside is one of the most desirable universities for the following reasons:

  • It ranks among the top 100 public as well as top 100 research universities in USA.
  • Exceptional job opportunities including on campus and off campus opportunities in the form of internships, co-op training and much more.
  • High return on investment, with graduates earning an average salary of $83,000 per annum.

Ques. What are the pros and cons of University of California Riverside?

Ans. The pros and cons of attending University of California Riverside are as follows:

Pros:

  • Ranked among the top 500 universities for popular courses like business, engineering, computer science and life sciences
  • Affordable tuition fee and on campus facilities
  • Endless opportunities for students throughout the campus
  • Diverse students body with international students coming from 90 countries worldwide

Cons:

  • Large class size with 23:1 student to faculty ratio
  • Job uncertainty after graduation
  • Very large distance from major cities
Courses & Fees

Compare courses in a cleaner, easier way

Explore tuition, duration, language, eligibility, and exam requirements without the clutter.

Courses

102

Fee from

₹10,62,700.5

Exams

IELTS · TOEFL

Showing 5 of 55 bachelors

Overview
Degree TypeBachelor
Duration4 years
Study ModeFull Time
LanguageEnglish
Fees
Tuition FeeINR 13.5 L/Yr
Native FeeUSD 14,436 /Yr
Estimated Total₹2730906
Fee trendTuition progression
Official Program Page
Admission Guide

Admission Process

Indian students must submit their applications to University of California Riverside Admissions for UG courses by December 2 every year. Those who have already applied for 2025 and have received an admissions offer must submit their housing application by May 10, 2025 and official documents by July 1, 2025. Applications for graduate programs at UC Riverside have now closed for Spring, and Summer intakes in 2025. Those who are still planning to apply may submit their application for Fall intake by June 1, 2025 or Winter intake by September 1, 2025.

To be eligible for University of California Riverside Admissions, Indian students require a minimum 70% in Class 12th from CBSE or State Board examination for undergraduate admissions. However, most successful international students typically have an 85% or above average in equivalent qualification. Graduate applicants require a minimum 3.0 GPA (85%) in a 4 year bachelor’s degree. Popular courses such MBA and MS Business Analytics typically admit applicants with 3.6 (91%) or above GPA.


University of California Riverside Acceptance Rate

The University of California Riverside acceptance rate is 73.6% according to previous year's admission. A total of 70,007 applications were received for undergraduate admissions at UC Riverside. Out of those, 51,536 were accepted for admissions and 6,690 of admitted students were enrolled at University of California.


University of California Riverside Admissions: Graduate

University of California Riverside offers 55 master’s degrees and 44 doctoral programs in more than 60 graduate disciplines. Given below is admissions process, requirements and eligibility criteria for UC Riverside graduate admissions:

How to apply for UC Riverside graduate admissions?

  • Submit your application via UC Riverside Graduate Application
  • Pay the non-refundable application fee
    • All Graduate programs- $155 (₹13,257)
    • MBA, MFin, Master of Business Analytics and MPAc- $180 (₹15,395)

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree with 3.0 GPA (85%)
  • Standardized Test Scores:
    • GMAT- 608-655
    • GRE- 300-319
  • English language requirements:

Documents Required:

  • 3 letters of recommendation
  • Statement of purpose
  • Personal History statement
  • Work experience proof
    • Course prerequisite
    • Writing samples
    • Articles
    • Projects

University of California Riverside Admission Requirements for Top Program

Check out specific admission requirements and deadlines for some of the popular programs at UC Riverside among Indian students:

Program GPA Required Test Score Application Deadline
Master of Business Administration 3.62 GPA (91%) GMAT: 608 (Average) | GRE: 319 (Average)
  • Round 1: December 15, 2025
  • Round 4: June 1, 2025
  • Round 2: January 31, 2026
  • Round 3: March 31, 2026
M.S Business Analytics 3.61 GPA (91%) GMAT: 655 (Average) | GRE: 319 (Average)
Master of Education Education with Teaching Emphasis 3.0 GPA (85%) Not Required
  • Fall: June 1, 2025
  • Summer: March 1, 2026
M.S Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 3.25 GPA (87%) GRE Score of 300 December 1, 2025
M.S Chemical and Environmental Engineering 3.2 GPA (87%) Not Required
  • Winter: September 1, 2025
  • Spring: December 1, 2025
  • Fall: January 5, 2026
  • Summer: March 1, 2026
M.S Computer Engineering 3.2 GPA (87%) Not Required June 1, 2025

University of California Riverside Admissions: Undergraduate

University of California Riverside offers undergraduate admissions in more than 80 degrees across disciplines like arts, history, business, engineering, computer science, psychology, among others. The application process and minimum requirements for UC Riverside undergraduate admissions are as follows:

How to apply for UC Riverside graduate admissions?

  • Submit your application via UC UG application
  • Pay the non-refundable application fee of $80 (₹6,842)

Admission Requirements:

  • High School with 3.4 GPA or 85% or at least 70% in Indian Class 12th from CBSE/State Board Exam
  • High school coursework required:
    • English- 4 years
    • Any Other Language- 2 years
    • Mathematics- 3 years
    • History/Social Science- 2 years
    • Lab Science- 2 years
    • Visual and Performing Arts- 1 year
    • College Preparatory Elective- 1 year
  • English language requirement:
    • TOEFL IBT- 80
    • IELTS- 6.5
    • Duolingo- 115

Requirements for Undergraduate transfer applicants:

  • Completion of at least 50 semester units with 2.8 GPA (81%)
  • Two transferable courses in English
  • 1 transferable course in mathematics
  • 4 transferable courses from 2 of the following subjects:
    • Arts & humanities
    • Physical & Biological Sciences
    • Behavioral Sciences

University of California Riverside Application Deadline

University of California Riverside accepts undergraduate applications from international students in the Fall and Winter intakes. However, those applying as first year students can only submit their applications for Fall intake. Only applications from transfer applicants are accepted for both intakes. The admissions to graduate programs are offered in Fall, Spring, Winter and Summer intakes every year.

UC Riverside Undergraduate Dates and Deadlines

All international students must review the following dates and deadlines before applying for undergraduate admissions at UC Riverside:

Event Date
Application Deadline for First Year Students December 2, 2025
Academic Update Deadline for Transfer Students January 31, 2026
Decision Date for First Year Students March 1, 2026
Housing Application Opens March 1, 2026
Decision Date for First Year Students April 1, 2026
Deadline for First Year Students to Statement of Intent for Registration May 1, 2026
Housing Application Deadline May 10, 2026
Decision Date for Transfer Students to Statement of Intent for Registration June 1, 2026
Deadline to Submit Official Transcripts, Documents and Test Scores July 1, 2026
Deadline to Submit Documents and Test Scores for UG Admissions July 15, 2026

UC Riverside Graduate Application Deadlines

The application typically varies for most graduate programs at UC Riverside. Given below are the common applications deadlines for some graduate programs:

Application Intake Deadlines
Fall June 1, 2025
Winter September 1, 2025
Spring December 1, 2025
Summer March 1, 2026

University of California Riverside Admissions Decision

UC Riverside admission decisions are issued for undergraduate first year students in March every year. For transfer students, the decisions are typically released on June 1 every year. The deadline for graduate programs are issued throughout the year. Those applying for Fall intake can expect their decision between January to May.

The University of California Riverside admissions are moderately competitive, with a 73.6% acceptance rate. UC Riverside follows a comprehensive review process to make final decisions for an applicant. This process involves multiple factors including in applicant’s GPA, performance in advance placement, family income, first generation in their family to attend college etc.

FAQs

Ques. How can I contact the UC Riverside admissions office as an international student?

Ans. You can reach out to UC Riverside admissions office via email at [email protected] or phone on +1 (310) 513-2715.

Ques. What are admissions requirements for UC riverside MBA?

Ans. The admissions requirements for UC Riverside MBA is minimum GPA of 3.62 GPA (91%) in 4 year bachelor’s degree along with GMAT score of 608 or GRE score of 319.

Placements & Recruiters

University of California-Riverside Placement Details

University of California-Riverside in Riverside, California, United States placement details include salary insights, top recruiters, and hiring trends to help students understand career outcomes and campus opportunities.

Students usually compare highest package, average package, and recruiter profile before applying. This section gives a compact overview of career outcomes and placement visibility in Riverside, California, United States.

Recruiters
N/A
Salary Metrics
0/2
Placement Metric

Highest Package

N/A

Represents the top salary package reported in the available placement information.

Placement Metric

Average Package

N/A

Shows the typical package range students may expect based on the available average salary data.

Placement information is currently limited.

More salary or recruiter data may be updated later for this college.

Rankings over the years

Year-wise highlights from global and country rankings available for this university.

2022

Highlights
2022
  • Best overall country rank: #41
  • Nanotechnology: #13 in country
  • Top source: ARWU
  • 50 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall, Engineering
  • 5 ranking records in 2022

2023

Highlights
2023
  • Best overall country rank: #53
  • Computer Science: #19 in country
  • Top source: US News
  • 43 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall, Engineering
  • 3 ranking records in 2023

2024

Highlights
2024
  • Best overall country rank: #33
  • Earth Sciences: #21 in country
  • Top source: QS
  • 36 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall, Engineering
  • 3 ranking records in 2024

2025

Highlights
2025
  • Best overall country rank: #51
  • Public Policy: #17 in country
  • Top source: US News
  • 27 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall, Engineering
  • 4 ranking records in 2025

2026

Highlights
2026
  • Best overall country rank: #54
  • Engineering: #51 in country
  • Top source: Collegedunia
  • 6 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall, Engineering
  • 3 ranking records in 2026

Contact Information

900 University Ave, Riverside, CA 92521

+1-951-827-1012

Student Reviews & Ratings

Overall sentiment and category-wise rating summary

Overall score

8.5/10
Top Rated

Based on 3 ratings

Rating Breakdown

Visual summary of rating distribution and categories

Live Summary
Academic
8.3/10
Faculty
8.0/10
Infrastructure
9.3/10
Accommodation
7.7/10
Placement
8.3/10
Extracurricular
9.3/10