The university is located in Riverside, Calif., 50 miles (80 kilometers) east of Los Angeles. The campus is surrounded by mountains, and its buildings feature a contemporary design. A tall bell tower marks the center of campus. Among the many highlights of this continuously expanding campus are botanical gardens, an air pollution research center, and a water resources center. The campus hosts the headquarters for the University of California Institute for Mexico and the United States, which supports University of California System activities related to Mexico. The university has a large library system, and additional materials can be obtained from the libraries of the University of California at Los Angeles. A shuttle bus regularly transports both books and students between the two institutions.

Total enrollment is about 8,500 students. The university is divided into the Colleges of Engineering, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Natural and Agricultural Sciences; the Division of Biomedical Sciences; the School of Education; the A. Gary Anderson Graduate School of Management; and the Graduate Division. Virtually all of the full-time faculty hold doctorates. Classes are conducted on the quarter system.

Undergraduates number more than 7,000. Most are state residents, and a large number of them commute. About three fourths of the students ranked in the top tenth of their high school class, and the university awards more than 100 merit scholarships. Minorities make up more than half of those seeking bachelor's degrees, with a large percentage of Asian Americans. About a third of the students live in dormitories. All undergraduates take courses in English composition, natural sciences, mathematics, humanities, and social sciences. Fluency in a foreign language is also required. More than half of the graduate courses are open to undergraduates. A special biomedical sciences program, offered jointly with UCLA, leads to a medical degree in seven years. Extensive opportunities exist for internships and cooperative work-study. Students interested in going abroad have some 25 countries from which to choose. About half of the graduating students pursue advanced studies within a year.

Students can participate in some 130 extracurricular activities, including performing arts groups, the student-run newspaper, fraternities and sororities, service clubs, and student government. The karate team has won numerous national titles. Varsity sports teams, nicknamed the Highlanders, compete in Division II of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The school awards about 85 athletic scholarships. School colors are blue and gold. Bands are featured every Wednesday on campus during the lunchtime hours. An organization called the Performing Arts Presentations brings celebrity performers to campus. Students interested in fine arts can view exhibits on campus at the California Museum of Photography and the University Art Gallery. A popular meeting place known as the Barn features live entertainment and movies. Beaches and ski resorts provide off-campus diversions.