Colleges › California › University of California, Riverside
University of California, Riverside acceptance rate, GPA needed and real cost
Also known as UCR, UC Riverside
University of California, Riverside accepts 76% of applicants. It is a public university in Riverside, California, with about 22,593 undergraduates. The sticker price is $36,519 a year for state residents, but after aid the average family pays $12,672.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, checked October 29, 2026.
What GPA do you need for UCR?
Admitly estimates a typical California resident needs about a 3.6 unweighted GPA for a better-than-even chance, and about 3.9 for admission to be likely (80%+).
The U.S. Department of Education does not collect high school GPAs, so Admitly does not publish an "average GPA" figure. Colleges that report one do so in their own Common Data Set.
Chances of getting into University of California, Riverside by GPA
University of California, Riverside does not consider SAT or ACT scores, so these chances assume no test score. GPA is unweighted, on a 4.0 scale.
| GPA | California resident | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 | 5% Reach | 4% Reach |
| 2.7 | 5% Reach | 4% Reach |
| 3.0 | 5% Reach | 4% Reach |
| 3.3 | 12% Reach | 9% Reach |
| 3.5 | 47% Target | 21% Reach |
| 3.7 | 70% Target | 41% Target |
| 3.9 | 86% Likely | 64% Target |
| 4.0 | 91% Likely | 74% Target |
Likely = 80% or higher, Target = 30–80%, Reach = under 30%. Course rigour, class rank, activities and AP scores all change the estimate.
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Check my chancesWhat families actually pay at University of California, Riverside
Yearly cost after need-based grants, by household income. Sticker price is $36,519 a year for state residents including room and board.
| Family income | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Under $50k | $9,100 | $38,800 |
| $50k – $100k | $9,100 | $41,100 |
| $100k – $150k | $13,200 | $45,200 |
| $150k – $250k | $32,400 | $64,400 |
| Over $250k | $35,400 | $67,400 |
Out-of-state figures add most of the tuition difference, since state grants rarely follow students across state lines.
Outcomes
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, checked October 29, 2026.
Common questions about University of California, Riverside
What is the acceptance rate at University of California, Riverside?
University of California, Riverside admits 76% of applicants, according to the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, checked October 29, 2026.
What GPA do you need to get into University of California, Riverside?
Admitly estimates a typical California resident needs about a 3.6 unweighted GPA for a better-than-even chance, and about 3.9 for admission to be likely (80%+). This is an estimate from Admitly's admission model, not an official cutoff: course rigour, test scores (not considered here), activities and essays all matter.
What SAT or ACT score do you need for University of California, Riverside?
University of California, Riverside does not consider SAT or ACT scores.
How much does University of California, Riverside cost after financial aid?
The sticker price is $36,519 a year for state residents including room and board, but the average family pays $12,672 after grants. Families earning under $50k pay about $9,100 in-state.
What is the graduation rate at University of California, Riverside?
75% of students finish their degree, and 88% return for a second year.
Colleges similar to University of California, Riverside
- San Jose State UniversitySan Jose, CA · admits 85%
- Cal State NorthridgeNorthridge, CA · admits 93%
- Sacramento StateSacramento, CA · admits 94%
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