UC Riverside admitted 74,340 undergraduate students for fall 2026, breaking its previous record once again.
The admission numbers, released Wednesday, July 29, exceeded last year’s record of 71,069. The campus led the UC system in total admissions and was at or near the top in several categories.
UCR admitted the most first-year California residents among the nine undergraduate campuses, with 55,914, and was second in total first-year admittances, with 63,958.
The campus also led in admitting first generation and low income students. And UCR attracted a diverse class of applicants, admitting the largest number of women, Black, Hispanic, and Asian students.
The numbers reflect a strong, continued trajectory of growth, driven by student success and opportunities that a degree from UCR provides to graduates, said Emily Engelschall, associative vice chancellor for Enrollment Services.
“I am incredibly proud to admit the largest first-year class in UCR’s history, and to lead the UC system in enrolling California residents this year,” she said. “This milestone reflects that families across the country understand that UCR offers an exceptional return on investment and that we pair world-class academics with the robust campus support systems that students need to succeed, graduate, and launch impactful careers.”
As part of its UCR 2030 strategic plan, the campus has expanded with new facilities such as the North District 2 student housing complex last year and the Undergraduate Teaching and Learning Facility, a new instructional and laboratory building that will open this fall.
UCR has been a national leader in social mobility, taking the top spot in the U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges list in that category. The campus has been among the Princeton Review’s Best Value Colleges, which rates based on return on investment, for six consecutive years.
Systemwide, the UC campuses set an all-time high for first year California residents with 102,031 offers, up 1.4% from last year. Since 2016, the number of California first-year admittances has gone up more than 31,000. The admission rate for California residents increased from 76.8% last year to 78.3% this year.
UC increased admissions of California community college transfers by 6% in 2026, compared to last year’s total. UCR increased its community college transfers by 13% from the previous year.
The admission numbers reflect UC’s commitment to serving California; about 85% of currently enrolled undergraduate students are student residents, the UC Office of the President stated. The nine campuses received over 205,000 applications for fall 2026.
“For generations, a University of California education has been one of the state’s most powerful engines of social mobility, opening doors for talented students from every background and region of the state,” said UC President James B. Milliken. “The record number of California students we’re welcoming this year reflects UC's enduring commitment to expanding opportunity while preparing the next generation of leaders, innovators, educators and public servants.”
