<p>I know if had a reputation of not being the best UC. I was interested in the business school (I didn't get into berkeley or ucla... and davis I got admitted but they don't have an undergrad business and ucsb I was admitted as pre-economics...) I would either go to the business school and study there or try to transfer to usc when I could (which I have seen happen many times)</p>
<p>But it seems that whoever I mention UCR to, they're initial response is "oh. Riverside's not good at all"</p>
<p>UCR has suffered in the past as having the rep of being a low-tier UC, but that does NOT make it a bad school. </p>
<p>Also, it seems that recent improvements have been implemented to make it a better and more desirable school. I think it’s also getting (or has recently gotten) a med school.</p>
<p>Have you visited?</p>
<p>Don’t just take other people’s word about it. They may just be operating on old info. visit the school and find out for yourself. </p>
<p>The school is ranked similarly to USan Diego and Iowa State…so certainly not a “bad” school. I’m betting that the same people who are saying that UCR isn’t good, would not say the same about USD, ISU, or other similarly ranked schools.</p>
<p>UCR is a small step behind UCD and UCSB, but not much. It is still ranked in the top 100 in the country.</p>
<p>I challenge what I think may be your assumption that a “Business” degre is more valuable than an Econ degree. I do not think that is the case. Business is a combination of Econ, Finance, Production/Operations, Marketing/Sales, Information Systems, HR. Most of those courses can be cobbled together at a school not offering a Business degree.</p>
<p>The more relavent question, assuming you plan to go into business, is whether you plan to start your own business, or work within a larger company. If the former, I can see how a Biz degree would help. If the latter, I don’t see it.</p>
<p>The program UC Riverside is most popular for is its business program; but, I am warning you now that employer perception of the university is so poor that your internship opportunities will be worse than that of Davis or Santa Barbara despite not having a business program. </p>
<p>You THINK you’re taking a step forward but you’d actually be going two steps back. There are a number of great CSU alternatives to Riverside.</p>
<p>I spent two years there and would not recommend going there. I feel like there’s a large gap in how good your experience will be (both as a student and post graduation) between UCR and UCSB. It’s not a horrible place, but I think UCSB/UCD are better options.</p>
<p>With that said, you should visit. If you find that UCR is a better fit for you, then that plus having the right major would make it a good choice.</p>
<p>Wrong UCR is a horrible place.
Smog filled and the surrounding area is huge meth base. Plus the local economy is in ruins do to the real estate downturn.
Go with Davis - a solid name
UCSB is ok but still known as a party school.</p>