University of California-Riverside
Riverside, CA
Quick Facts
“Fiat lux (Latin)”("Let there be light")
Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education
About University of California-Riverside
From Citrus to Cutting-Edge Research: UC Riverside's remarkable journey of growth and discovery.
The University of California, Riverside (UCR) stands as a vibrant public land-grant research university, a distinguished member of the esteemed University of California system. With its roots stretching back to a pioneering citrus research station, UCR has blossomed into an "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity" institution, attracting ambitious students eager to engage in impactful research and a dynamic campus environment. Situated on a sprawling 1,900-acre campus in Riverside, California, UCR offers a unique blend of suburban tranquility and academic rigor.
UCR's story is one of innovation and persistent growth, beginning as the UC Citrus Experiment Station in 1907, which laid crucial groundwork in agricultural science. This foundation evolved, leading to the establishment of an undergraduate College of Letters and Science in 1954. Driven by the post-WWII enrollment boom and the California Master Plan for Higher Education, UCR was designated a general university campus in 1959. Its history is marked by strategic expansion, including the development of innovative programs in business administration and biomedical sciences, ensuring its vitality and continued relevance through changing times.
Academically, UCR is recognized for its high research activity and is a proud member of the Association of American Universities (AAU). A testament to its forward-thinking vision is the UC Riverside School of Medicine, which enrolled its first class in 2013, marking the first new research-based public medical school in California in four decades. With a student body of over 26,800, UCR is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and diverse community, reflected in its historical leadership in student diversity among UC campuses. Prospective students will find a university committed to expansion, with plans to accommodate 35,000 students by 2035, supported by substantial investments in new construction. The campus spirit is embodied by the Highlanders, who compete in NCAA Division I athletics.
Key Highlights
- ✦A prestigious public land-grant research university, part of the renowned University of California system.
- ✦Designated an "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity" institution.
- ✦Home to the UC Riverside School of Medicine, the first new research-based public medical school in California in 40 years (opened 2013).
- ✦Original roots as the UC Citrus Experiment Station, founded in 1907, pioneering biological pest control research.
- ✦Serving 26,809 students (2022), with ambitious plans to reach 35,000 students by 2035.
- ✦Known for its diverse student body, holding the highest proportion of African American, American Indian, and Latino students among UC campuses in 1995.
- ✦A member of the esteemed Association of American Universities (AAU).
Timeline
Schools & Colleges
3 notable schools within University of California-Riverside
A. Gary Anderson Graduate School of Management
Part of the UCR School of Business, housed in the original UC Citrus Experiment Station building.
UC Riverside School of Medicine
The first new research-based public medical school in California in 40 years, enrolling its first class in 2013.
School of Public Policy
Established in 2012, offering programs in public policy.
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