UC Riverside, which is part of University of California’s 10-school system, started as a humble “citrus experiment station” — a research area the school still specializes in. Today, the university’s College of Natural and Agricultural Studies offers educational opportunities in conservation, astrobiology and much more — plus access to 40 acres of botanic gardens. UCR is also considered a world leader in entomology research, so if bugs are your thing, the university should be at the top of your short list.
The university is home to the world's largest collection of science fiction and fantasy titles (it contains over 100,000 books, plus another 100,000 fanzines. If science fiction isn’t your thing, there are some 500 student clubs and organizations, catering to interests from water polo and drag performance to a pediatric cancer patient friendship group and a Bollywood dance team.
The university routinely helps students from lower-income families achieve bright financial futures: Students graduate at a rate of nearly 87%, the average alumni salary is about $68,000 a decade after enrolling and a quarter of graduates earn over $200,000 per year by mid-career. Notable alumni include John Henry, the principal owner of the Liverpool Football Club, Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Penguins and The Boston Globe; actor Christopher Mintz-Plasse; and entomologist Larry Hanks (brother of Tom).
