I can’t make any recommendations about the engineering programs but UCR has been building a lot of new facilities. The engineering building is new and state of the art. There is a new student sports complex and many of the dorms and cafeterias were built within the last couple of years. The campus itself is very nice.
The downside of Riverside is the town. Apart from a small area of downtown with a pedestrian mall with some bars and restaurants, Riverside doesn’t have much to offer a college student. The student will need a car to get anywhere. The campus also seems to empty out on weekends, many of the students go home.