Breadcrumb
ray of light icon

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

Student enjoying a sunny day outside the Food Court at UCR

For the fifth consecutive year, UC Riverside ranks among the top 2 U.S. universities for social mobility. – U.S. News 

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. 7 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

UC Riverside is one of only 8 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

Recognized as one of the Best Colleges for 2024, UC Riverside ranks No. 20 on the list of Best Schools for Making an Impact (Public Schools) and ranks No. 23 in the Top 50 Best Value Colleges (Public Schools). – Princeton Review

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

UC Riverside ranks among the top 45 Best Colleges for Veterans. – U.S. News 

UC Riverside is ranked No. 25 in innovation among American universities. – U.S. News

UC Riverside ranks No. 36 among all public universities. – U.S. News 

UC Riverside ranks among the top 1.3% of universities worldwide. – Center for World University Rankings 

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 employment outcomes. — QS World University Rankings

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

Research and Scholarship Claims

UC Riverside’s faculty boasts two Nobel Laureates, 16 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.

UCR ranks No. 31 in the world in plant and animal sciences. – U.S. News

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.

Ranked No. 2 in the world, UCR’s research in Entomology leads the global fight to save bees and other endangered pollinators. – Center for World University Rankings

Student Access, Success, Program Claims

Among public schools, UCR School of Medicine ranks No. 5 in the country for diversity. – U.S. News

UC Riverside ranks No. 21 among public doctoral institutions for graduation rates among first-time, full-time Black students. – Chronicle of Higher Education

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).

As a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), UC Riverside is among the first universities to receive the Seal of Excelencia for outstanding commitment to the support of Latinx students.

Collage of images of students and research at UCR
Vintage Cameras Collection at the UCR Museum of Photography