Colleges in Riverside, California
12 colleges and universities — federal Scorecard data.
There are 12 colleges and universities in Riverside, California (7 Private for-profit, 3 Public, 2 Private nonprofit). The figures below are pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — the same federal dataset colleges are required to report to.
Across all 12 institutions, the median net price after grants and scholarships works out to about $21,765 per year, the median 6-year graduation rate is 67.0%, schools that report admissions data accept a median 85% of applicants.
The median net price in Riverside runs about $1,054 higher than the California statewide median of $20,711.
Whether you're comparing in-state public tuition, looking for a private nonprofit with strong outcomes, or trying to find the right program in Riverside, the table below lets you sort every institution side-by-side on cost, admissions, graduation rate, and size.
Median net price
$21,765
After aid
Median grad rate
67.0%
6-year
Median admission rate
85%
Median enrollment
565
Undergrad
All colleges in Riverside
Sorted by enrollment.
| School | State | Type | Net price | Grad rate | Admission | Size | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of California-Riverside Riverside, CA | CA | Public, 4-year | $14,304 | 76.0% | 76% | 22,593 | Complete | |
| Riverside City College Riverside, CA | CA | Public, 2-year | $8,377 | 36.6% | Not available | 18,346 | Partial | |
| California Baptist University Riverside, CA | CA | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $26,285 | 61.9% | 85% | 8,179 | Complete | |
| UEI College-Riverside Riverside, CA | CA | Private for-profit, <2-year | $29,702 | 70.5% | Not available | 1,616 | Partial | |
| La Sierra University Riverside, CA | CA | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $45,566 | 59.7% | 92% | 1,116 | Complete | |
| North-West College-Riverside Riverside, CA | CA | Private for-profit, 2-year | $33,139 | 71.7% | Not available | 717 | Partial | |
| Platt College-Riverside Riverside, CA | CA | Private for-profit, 4-year | $21,889 | 57.5% | Not available | 413 | Partial | |
| Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology Riverside, CA | CA | Private for-profit, 2-year | $32,601 | 68.5% | Not available | 317 | Partial | |
| American College of Healthcare and Technology Riverside, CA | CA | Private for-profit, 2-year | $19,649 | 65.5% | Not available | 272 | Partial | |
| Salon Success Academy-Riverside Riverside, CA | CA | Private for-profit, <2-year | $15,423 | 81.4% | Not available | 164 | Partial | |
| Riverside County Office of Education-School of Career Education Riverside, CA | CA | Public, <2-year | $19,842 | 81.7% | Not available | 105 | Partial | |
| InterCoast Colleges-Riverside Riverside, CA | CA | Private for-profit, <2-year | $21,641 | 59.9% | Not available | 65 | Partial |
By institution type
Private for-profit (7)
Private for-profit colleges in Riverside operate as businesses, generally focused on career-oriented and online programs with rolling admissions.
- UEI College-RiversideNet price: $29,702Grad: 70.5%
- North-West College-RiversideNet price: $33,139Grad: 71.7%
- Platt College-RiversideNet price: $21,889Grad: 57.5%
- Spartan College of Aeronautics and TechnologyNet price: $32,601Grad: 68.5%
- American College of Healthcare and TechnologyNet price: $19,649Grad: 65.5%
- Salon Success Academy-RiversideNet price: $15,423Grad: 81.4%
- InterCoast Colleges-RiversideNet price: $21,641Grad: 59.9%
Public (3)
Public colleges in Riverside are state- or locally-funded institutions that typically offer lower in-state tuition and serve a broad mix of residents and commuters.
- University of California-RiversideNet price: $14,304Grad: 76.0%
- Riverside City CollegeNet price: $8,377Grad: 36.6%
- Riverside County Office of Education-School of Career EducationNet price: $19,842Grad: 81.7%
Private nonprofit (2)
Private nonprofit colleges in Riverside are mission-driven institutions — often religiously affiliated or research-focused — that reinvest tuition into academics and aid rather than distributing profit.
- California Baptist UniversityNet price: $26,285Grad: 61.9%
- La Sierra UniversityNet price: $45,566Grad: 59.7%
Top programs in Riverside
Most-completed programs across Riverside colleges, weighted by enrollment.
- Business13.5% of degrees
- Health professions10.5% of degrees
- Liberal arts8.9% of degrees
- Biological sciences8.7% of degrees
- Social sciences8.4% of degrees
- Psychology7.3% of degrees
- Computer science4.7% of degrees
- Visual & performing arts4.3% of degrees
Frequently asked questions about colleges in Riverside
Q.How many colleges are in Riverside, California?
There are 12 colleges and universities in Riverside, California that report to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — 7 Private for-profit, 3 Public, 2 Private nonprofit.
Q.What is the largest college in Riverside?
By undergraduate enrollment, University of California-Riverside is the largest institution in Riverside with roughly 22,593 undergraduates.
Q.What is the cheapest college in Riverside?
Based on average net price after aid, Riverside City College is the most affordable institution in Riverside at $8,377 per year.
Q.Which Riverside college has the highest graduation rate?
Riverside County Office of Education-School of Career Education reports the highest 6-year graduation rate among Riverside institutions at 81.7%.
Q.What is the average tuition in Riverside?
The median net price across all 12 colleges in Riverside is $21,765 per year after grants and scholarships.
Q.What are the most popular college majors in Riverside?
Across Riverside colleges, the most-completed programs by share of degrees awarded are Business, Health professions, Liberal arts.
Q.Are there community colleges in Riverside?
Yes — Riverside includes 3 public institutions, many of which offer 2-year associate degrees and transfer pathways to 4-year programs.
Other cities in California
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS. Medians are computed across institutions in Riverside that report each metric. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with each institution.