University of California at Riverside

Founded in 1954, the University of California—Riverside (UCR) is a public institution located in Riverside, California. UCR is one of 10 schools in the University of California system and was the official UC Citrus Experiment Station before becoming a university. 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 novelist Elizabeth George, and Nobel Prize-winning chemist Richard Schrock.

Ranked 92 in the nation, UCR’s acceptance rate is 66% and its graduation rate is 75%. In-state undergraduate tuition is $29,059 per year, plus fees; out-of-state undergraduate tuition is $60,085 per year, plus fees. In-state graduate tuition is $13,584 per year, plus fees; out-of-state graduate tuition is $28,686 per year, plus fees. The university offers over 80 undergraduate programs and more than 50 graduate and professional programs. A total of 26,434 students are enrolled. UCR follows a semester-based academic calendar.

UCR’s 1,900-acre campus in sunny Southern California, has a unique Scottish flavor; all residence halls are named for landmarks in Scotland, including Aberdeen-Inverness and Pentland Hills. Plus, its athletic teams, who compete in the NCAA Division I Big West Conference, are known as the Highlanders. While the university’s original mascot was a Scottish terrier, it is now a kilt-wearing bear named Scotty. Pep-band members wear plaid berets and sashes, and “Brave Scots” is the school fight song. The university’s Pipe Band members wear kilts and play bagpipes and drums. Most UCR students commute, and freshmen are not required to live on campus. The university helps freshen integrate into the college experience by offering them a First Year Success Series, which teaches them study habits and time management skills. Students can participate in more than 300 clubs and organizations, including about 40 fraternities and sororities. University traditions, such as the fall Block Party and Spring Splash, are also popular activities. Off campus, students have easy access to popular California attractions, including beaches, Los Angeles, Disneyland, and more.