College age female holding books

Top Universities in Riverside County, CA

By: Kristan Pennington
August 3, 2023  | 
Naturally, shortly after enrolling in High School, for some, possibly sooner, you start thinking about what College to attend. If you aren’t familiar with Riverside and your options for many colleges, I am here to help you. Riverside is best known for the Orange Groves, The Mission Inn, and the Festival of Lights, but Riverside is home to many Colleges that offer premium education.

Being part of the leasing team, I receive hundreds of calls annually for housing near the major universities in Riverside. These schools are some of the most sought-after schools in the State, drawing in thousands of new students each year. Whether you are looking for a public school or a private school, more than likely you will find a school for you in Riverside, CA.

University of california riverside

University of California, Riverside

Topping the charts is the University of California, Riverside. This school was ranked No. 12 in the U.S. and No. 9 among public universities by Money Magazine for 2019. Currently, home to approximately 27,000 students and growing! This school is popular because its well-known education system offers various academic and research subjects. Aspiring Engineers are known to drift towards this school. This college is also only a driving distance from major cultural and recreation sites and within walking distance of a movie theater in University Village, which offers student discounts. The University Village hosts yummy spots to grab food and drinks between classes, study, and hang out on dates. You have options to choose from, like the Boba Cafe, Poke Bar, and if you’re like me, you can get a quick manicure and pedicure at The Signature Nails & Spa. This university is also surrounded by a wide variety of places to live. To add, we also manage some of these surrounding rentals. UCR is also ranked very high in several aspects.

La sierra university riverside

La Sierra University

La Sierra University was named the most diverse university in the western United States in the past five years! The key mission that drives this university is “To Seek, To Know, and To Serve” La Sierra University encourages students to develop a deeper relationship with God. This school is committed to learning and service. Consistent with the life teachings of Jesus Christ and their belief in a God of grace and redeeming love. This University maintains a safe and civil campus environment. This campus sits on 150 acres in beautiful Southern California and has a fantastic doctoral program. This campus is thriving in its relationship with God and amongst each other and has many community outreach programs benefiting the neighborhood. The staff and students must be able to ensure one time to promote growth. While La Sierra University is well known for its Pre-med and Pre-dent programs, with many of its graduates enrolling in Loma Linda University for Doctor and Dental Degrees, La Sierra University also has a world-renowned School of Business winning top awards in the SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) competitions globally for the past decade or more, which is now called ENACTUS World Cup. Our very own Consultant - Conrad Noah, is an alumnus of this prestigious school.

California baptist university riverside

California Baptist University

California Baptist University is one of the top private Christian colleges and universities in Southern California. CBU is in Riverside right off Magnolia and sits on 160 acres.

They even have their very own Chic-Fil-A! I discovered the Chic-Fil-A because I had GPS, the closest one. To my surprise, I pulled into the campus. I was a little confused, but the Gate Patrol kindly let me know I also had access to the restaurant. It was a very nice experience and let me tell you that the parking was very easy. I parked and crossed one street, and I was there. The inside of the building was very clean, and you could just feel the positivity around you. All the students were very kind; not often when you make eye contact with someone and exchange a smile. It’s no coincidence that this is a 100% Christian Faculty and Staff. Most importantly, this school offers degrees at the Associate, Bachelor, Master, and Doctoral levels.  Fall enrollment was a whopping total of 11,496. The CBU’s bachelor’s degree programs in civil engineering, electrical, computer, and mechanical have been accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. If any of these fields interest you, please check ABET Accreditation. CBU is right off Adams Auto Center, which will take you to the freeway, which will lead you to a beach within one hour or Las Vegas opposite way within 3 hours. CBU is about 10 minutes from Galleria at Tyler (formerly Tyler Mall), which shares a parking lot with Barnes and Noble, which is perfect for studying. The school is surrounded by grocery stores like Stater Bro’s, the 99 Cent store, and many restaurants. So, if you do not have a car, do not fret. Your feet will be where you need to go within a few minutes.

Riverside city college

Riverside City College

Lastly, we have Riverside City College (formerly Riverside Community College). I personally did not experience University life, but I did attend my local community college. Through my school, I was able to get my first professional job as a Loan Processor. The school offers great opportunities for students so long as they have the required hours, credits, and grades. This school is home to 36,000 students annually and excels in programs like liberal arts, science, nursing, and performing arts. The school offers associate degrees and certificates that aid students in transferring to a university or into the workforce. Riverside City College is an affordable school with an amazing educational program. Most popular majors include Liberal Arts, Humanities, Natural Sciences, and Child Care Programs. This doesn’t end here, though. RCC also offers Cosmetology classes, welding, law enforcement, and physical training. It only makes sense to attend this school if you are on a budget but looking to gain incredible knowledge. 61 percent of the students attending RCC agree that the workload is manageable, and 78% of the students agree that the professors put a lot of effort into teaching their classes. The school is located in downtown Riverside and is within walking distance of almost everything. Instead of fighting parking to view the Festival of Lights at the Mission Inn, you can stroll there without worrying about parking fees. The area is also surrounded by hip bars and clubs and tasty eats. You get to experience and enjoy college life without paying so much in university fees.

Check out all the Cool Things happening in Riverside Downtown.

Riverside is the Hub

As you can see all our schools offer excellent academics that will suit your own individual needs. You have many options so choosing might not be too easy for you. From Riverside, you can reach some great destinations such as Newport BeachDisneyland, Los Angles, Big Bear, Palm Springs, Las Vegas, and many other great adventures. You will never be bored. Riverside is the home of the Drive-In Movie Theater off Van Buren, Castle Park, perfect for date nights to enjoy a night of golfing or rides, The Fox Theater, and the Rubidoux hiking trail.

You can also check out these Great Things to do in Riverside, CA.

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