UC Riverside’s power claims communicate the university’s impact, quality, and effectiveness. You may use the power claims on their own or in combination with other messaging to support marketing, communications, fundraising, and other university initiatives.
Some claims are posted in varying lengths to account for methods of communication that require less text (e.g. ads, infographics) or allow for longer narratives (e.g. websites, speeches).
The power claims will be revised twice per year by University Relations, in consultation with Institutional Research.
Premier Claim
The nation’s singular leader in social mobility, educational access, and research excellence, UC Riverside is the only university to achieve the following:
- Member of the Association of American Universities (AAU)
- Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI)
- Fulbright HSI Leader
- Recipient of the Seal of Excelencia
- Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI)
- Two distinguished Nobel Laureate faculty members
Short Version
Two Nobel laureates. Member of the AAU. Second in the nation for social mobility. Hispanic Serving Institution and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution. UC Riverside is the nation’s singular leader in social mobility, educational access, and research excellence. Bold Hearts. Brilliant Minds.
Institutional Claims
Recognized as one of the Best Colleges for 2025, UC Riverside ranks No. 5 on the list of Best Schools for Making an Impact (Public Schools) and ranks No. 33 in the Top 50 Best Value Colleges (Public Schools). – Princeton Review 2025
UC Riverside is the most affordable prestigious university in Southern California. – NCES 2022-23 Data
UC Riverside ranks No. 1 in the nation for social mobility. – U.S. News 2025
UC Riverside ranked No. 1 for retention of Pell Grant first-year students, and first among public universities for Pell Grant student graduation rates. – The Chronicle of Higher Education
UCR ranks No. 16 in Pell Grant student performance among U.S. four-year institutions, and among the top 20 institutions for Pell Grant recipient graduation rates. – Washington Monthly 2024
UC Riverside is one of only eight universities to earn both AAU and HSI designations.
UC Riverside is one of fewer than 25 universities with 2 or more Nobel Laureates on the faculty.
Among public universities, UC Riverside ranks No. 31 on the “America’s Top Colleges” list. – Forbes 2023
UC Riverside ranks No. 9 among public universities in Princeton Review’s Guide to Green Colleges. The guide praises our superb sustainability practices, strong foundation in sustainability education, and healthy quality of life for students on campus. – Princeton Review 2023
UC Riverside ranks among the top 45 Best Colleges for Veterans. – U.S. News 2024
UC Riverside is ranked No. 25 in innovation among American universities. – U.S. News 2024
UC Riverside ranks No. 36 among all public universities. – U.S. News 2024
UC Riverside ranks among the top 1.3% of universities worldwide. – Center for World University Rankings 2025
UC Riverside enrolls more students who receive Pell Grants than the entire Ivy League combined.
Recognized as one of the world’s top universities, UC Riverside ranks No. 69 in the nation based on academic reputation, faculty citations, student-to-faculty ratio, and sustainability. — QS World University Rankings 2023
UC Riverside is among 43 Hispanic-Serving Institutions to be named an inaugural 2022 Fulbright HSI Leader. – U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
UC Riverside is the most affordable of prestigious universities in Southern California based on cost of living and Pell and other Federal Grants given. – NCES 2021-22 Data
Of all the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU) members in Southern California, UC Riverside is the most affordable option based on cost of living and Pell and other Federal Grants given. – NCES 2021-22 Data
One of only 54 universities to receive a 5-star ranking in Money magazine’s 2024 list of Best Colleges, based on quality of education, affordability, and student outcomes.
Research and Scholarship Claims
UC Riverside’s faculty boasts two Nobel Laureates, 18 National Academy Members, two members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Governing Board, four National Book Award finalists, and one former Poet Laureate.
UC Riverside's Botany and Plant Sciences Department includes five female National Academy of Sciences members, the largest of any single academic department in the nation.
In the Top 4% in Plant and Animal Science. – U.S. News & World Report's 2023 Best Global Universities Subject Rankings
A global leader in agricultural research, UC Riverside has produced more than 40 different citrus varieties, including the popular Tango mandarin.
A global leader in agricultural research, UC Riverside scientists developed the new Luna UCR™ avocado.
UCR is designated as a bee-friendly campus and became an affiliate of the Bee Campus USA program, joining other institutions in improving the landscape for pollinators.
Student Access, Success, Program Claims
No. 1 in freshmen retention rates. (Among colleges where Pell recipients make up at Least 50% of undergraduates.) – Chronicle of Higher Education 2023
Among public schools, UCR School of Medicine ranks No. 5 in the country for diversity. – U.S. News
UC Riverside ranks No. 27 out of 6,000 institutions delivering outstanding experiential learning opportunities to students. – Forage Experiential Learning Awards
In 2008, UCR became the first UC campus to be recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), and is now also designated an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI).
UCR is one of just 10 colleges and universities to receive the Seal of Excelencia, which recognizes the university’s commitment as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) to serve Latinx students and support their success.
