UCR Students look on during Commencement.

Value of a UC Riverside Degree

Invest In Your Future. Get a UC Riverside Degree.

Enjoy more earnings, career options, and employability as a Highlander! You’ll be part of one of the most diverse student bodies at a top-tier research university in the United States and have a home within the University of California system, one of the world’s premier public universities. Explore outcomes shared by faculty and alumni who are making bold and brilliant impacts in their professions and communities.

Top-Tier Research University

Graduate with skills and experiences desired by employers.

UC Riverside is a proud member of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU), alongside institutions like Harvard, Stanford, UC Berkeley, and UCLA. UCR is also the most affordable AAU in Southern California!

A Best Value College

Based on return on investment including academics, affordability, and career outcomes for graduates.

Princeton Review, 2024

Top 1.3% of Universities Worldwide

Based on those who applied for aid.

2024 Center for World University Rankings

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Determined to find an alternative to fossil fuels, Charles invented co-solvent enhanced lignocellulosic fractionation (CELF). This innovative biomass pretreatment technology has shown that it’s possible to create cost-effective fuels from biomass and lignin, and help curb carbon emissions.

  Charles Cai
Associate Researcher and Adjunct UCR Professor

Charles Cai

Affordable Pathways

Hear From Young Alumni

UCR opened doors for Sirina Nabhan (’17, Electrical Engineering), such as getting a NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) internship and later, full-time employment.

Joshua Tejada (’23, Biology) created the Mi Doctora Foundation to provide scholarships to students who lost legal guardians.

Councilmember Philip Falcone (’20, Gender Studies) uses his degree to serve the Riverside community.

Outcomes for Recent Graduates

Explore the 2022 earnings for Class of ’21 working in California. These careers represent a handful of UCR’s undergraduate programs. Check out all 150+ majors and minors to suit your interests and dream career.

Computer Science $115,009
Computer Engineering $106,416
Electrical Engineering $92,705
Economics/Administration Studies $78,704
Chemical Engineering $78,697
Mechanical Engineering $76,748
Bioengineering $72,651
Business Administration $70,043
Business Economics $69,757
Public Policy $64,790
Chemistry $60,825
Political Science/International Studies $60,292

 

Source: UC’s Alumni at Work, Undergraduate Degree Only, Percentile (75) of Annual Earnings

 

Long-Run Outcomes for UC Riverside Alumni

Explore the educational experience and broad economic successes of UCR graduates and their contributions to the state of California.

 

25%

 

A quarter of UCR alums earn over $200K per year by their mid-career.

20%

 

Almost 20% begin their careers in finance and business services.

15%

 

About 15% spend the middle of their careers working in public administration.

Get Career Ready

Student researchers study ground cover at a UCR outdoor lab

Hands-On Experiences

Apply classroom knowledge to real-world situations. We’ll help you build a competitive resume, prepare for the workforce, and even win national and international awards!

  • 150+ majors, minors, and accelerated programs
  • Faculty-mentored research as early as your first year
  • Internships to test out career paths
  • Education Abroad opportunities for experiential learning
 

Explore Majors

Students attend a workshop at the UCR Career Center

Career Guidance

UCR’s Career Center is your go-to for career guidance throughout your university experience and well beyond graduation. Students visit early and often to maximize outcomes.

  • Career counseling
  • Jobs, internships, and volunteer opportunities
  • Career fairs, workshops, info sessions, and networking events
  • Resources for ethnic- and gender-specific populations
 

Explore Career Center

The Journey to Graduate School

As you work toward your undergraduate degree, you might decide that graduate/professional school is your next step. UCR’s colleges/schools, programs, and Career Center can help you find the right program and apply.

Ariana Emami
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Ariana's Undergrad Experiences:

  • Participated in undergraduate research and lab activities, and co-authored publications.
  • Took part in the Early Assurance Program, a portal into the UCR School of Medicine's Thomas Haider Program.
  • Got involved with student organizations and campus activities.

Faves at UC Riverside:

  • Resource: UCR School of Medicine’s Future Physicians Leaders Program — this inspired Ariana’s pursuit of a Master's in Public Health at Columbia University!
  • Experience: American Medical Student Association (Served as treasurer)
  • Tip: Engage with peers and professors. It’s important for learning and to discover new knowledge and resources.

  Ariana Emami
Class of ’22, Biochemistry

Build Your Network

As a UCR Highlander, you’ll build a broad network of mentors and colleagues with faculty, staff, and students. After graduation, you’ll have access to the UCR Alumni Association, a network of more than 143,000 Highlanders with annual events and resources to help you find your first job after graduation!

Alumni and family at UCR's 2024 Alumni Disney Event
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“UC Riverside opened unique doors of opportunity for me, such as fostering connections through its extensive alumni network and providing resources for pursuing my entrepreneurial endeavors, ultimately propelling my career forward.”

  Taylor Pollard
Class of ’16, Art (Studio)
Flexin' In My Complexion
Apparel Designer and Activist

Taylor Pollard