University of California-Riverside
Riverside, California · Public · 76.4% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 83/100 · Strong Value
University of California-Riverside
Strong ValueQuick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $15,606/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $49,806/yr |
| Average net price | $14,304/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $57,216 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $67,699 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $36,800 |
| Median debt at graduation | $17,500 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $186 |
| Estimated payback period | 6 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 76.0% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 22,593 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $8,852 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,840 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,111 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $16,571 |
| $110,001+ | $30,393 |
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University of California-Riverside with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $72,027 | B |
| Biology | $58,339 | D |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $49,947 | D |
| Sociology | $55,682 | C |
| Computer Science | $117,705 | A |
| Economics | $66,682 | C+ |
| International Relations | $56,740 | C |
| Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education | $57,847 | C |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $52,699 | D |
| Mathematics | $63,596 | C |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at University of California-Riverside is $15,606/year ($49,806/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $14,304/year, or roughly $57,216 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $8,852/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $30,393/year.
The median graduate leaves with $17,500 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $186 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $67,699 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.48 - well within manageable territory.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 69.6% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 72.7% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 69.2% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 73.5% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 76.4% |
| Enrollment | 22,593 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 46.9% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $17,096 |
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of California-Riverside (this school) | 83 | $14,304 | $67,699 |
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | 96 | $16,665 | $90,768 |
| University of Illinois Chicago | 85 | $10,974 | $68,740 |
| University at Buffalo | 83 | $20,995 | $70,814 |
| University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus | 83 | $15,300 | $63,126 |
| California State University-Bakersfield | 75 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
University of California-Riverside delivers above-average financial returns for its graduates. At a net cost of $14,304 per year ($57,216 over four years), graduates earn a median of $67,699 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback period at roughly 6 years - a solid return on the investment.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates, a 76.0% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings.
Median debt of $17,500 is very manageable against $67,699 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
Rankings & Links
Guides & Tools
Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.