Does UC Riverside require the SAT? No, it's test blind
UC Riverside is test blind: it won't read an SAT or ACT score, even if you send one. It admits 76% of applicants, so grades, courses and essays decide.
UC Riverside doesn't read SAT or ACT scores
A score won't be read even if you send one, so it can't help or hurt. With a 76% admit rate, UC Riverside is a Likely for everyone; grades, courses and essays decide.
UC Riverside by the numbers
- Admit rate
- 76%
- Middle 50% SAT
- Not read
- Test policy
- Test blind
Test blind · checked Nov 9, 2026 · UC Riverside admissions · SAT range from the Common Data Set, 2025–26; admit rate from it or IPEDS
UC Riverside admit rate over 10 years
Applications rose 51%, from 38,511 in 2015 to 58,048 in 2024, and UC Riverside's admit rate went from 56% to 76%.
- 56%
- 76%
Show the numbers
| Fall | Applied | Admitted | Admit rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 58,048 | 44,343 | 76% |
| 2023 | 62,807 | 39,758 | 63% |
| 2022 | 54,683 | 37,563 | 69% |
| 2021 | 52,672 | 34,437 | 65% |
| 2020 | 49,442 | 32,522 | 66% |
| 2019 | 49,515 | 27,984 | 57% |
| 2018 | 49,079 | 24,820 | 51% |
| 2017 | 43,671 | 24,674 | 56% |
| 2016 | 42,629 | 28,280 | 66% |
| 2015 | 38,511 | 21,412 | 56% |
In fall 2024, 5,422 of the 44,343 admitted students enrolled. Applicants and admits from IPEDS, the federal college survey, by fall of entry.
UC Riverside GPA
What enrolled first-year students brought from high school.
- Average high school GPA
- 3.75
- 100% of new students reported one
Common Data Set 2025–26.
UC Riverside waitlist
Waitlist
3,783 applicants were offered a spot, 2,019 took it, and 0 were admitted from it.
0.0%of students who stayed on the waitlist got in
Common Data Set 2025–26.
UC Riverside cost and outcomes
What students pay after grants, how many finish, and what they earn.
- Average net price
- $14,304
- per year, after grants
- Graduate in 6 years
- 76%
- Median earnings
- $67,699
- 10 years after starting
- Undergraduates
- 24,257
College Scorecard, 2022–23, from the US Department of Education. Net price averages federal-aid students across family incomes.
Colleges like UC Riverside
Other colleges that don't read scores, with similar admit rates.
- California State Polytechnic University-PomonaPomona, CA · 75% admittedTest blind
- San Jose State UniversitySan Jose, CA · 85% admittedTest blind
- UC Santa CruzSanta Cruz, CA · 66% admittedTest blind
- California State University-FullertonFullerton, CA · 91% admittedTest blind
- UC MercedMerced, CA · 91% admittedTest blind
- California State University-Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA · 91% admittedTest blind
More colleges in California
Sources
- UC Riverside Common Data Set 2025–26
SAT and ACT ranges, early decision, waitlist, GPA and class rank, as the college reported them.
- College Navigator (IPEDS)
Applications, admissions and enrollment by year, from the federal college survey.
- College Scorecard
Net price, graduation rate and earnings, from the US Department of Education.
- UC Riverside admissions
Test policy for 2026–27, checked Nov 9, 2026.
- UC Riverside website
University of California-Riverside
Updated Nov 9, 2026. Spot a number that's off? Email support@tryashore.com and we'll check it against the source.
Questions
Still have a question? support@tryashore.com
Raise your score before you apply
The 15-minute starting check finds the question types costing you points, then plans each day up to your test date.
Starting check
SAT Math · 1 of 5
Calculator allowed
- A
- B
- C
- D