Academic Programs & Learning

Academics at Riverside City College — retention rates, distance education, enrollment intensity, and student support.

What About Academic Quality at Riverside City College?

Student-to-Faculty Ratio

26:1

Average students per faculty member

👨‍🏫

Full-Time Retention

70%

Students continuing to second year

📈

Part-Time Retention

45%

Part-time students continuing

📊

How Riverside City College Compares

A 70% full-time retention rate puts Riverside City College above the typical trade-college range, where 50–65% is more common. The 26:1 student-to-faculty ratio reinforces the pattern: students are sticking around, and instructional capacity is structured to keep them engaged. Part-time retention runs at 45%, useful context for students balancing work and study.

Understanding Academic Quality Metrics

Student-Faculty Ratio: A ratio of 26:1 means there are approximately 26 students for every faculty member. This higher ratio may mean larger class sizes but can also indicate efficient resource utilization.

Retention Rates: These show the percentage of students who return for their second year. Higher retention rates typically indicate student satisfaction, academic support, and program quality.

Graduation Rate Survey Cohort: 28% of entering students are tracked for graduation outcomes.

Who Teaches at Riverside City College?

Total Teaching Staff
281
Instructional faculty
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
26:1
Students per instructor
Faculty Diversity
33%
Underrepresented minorities

Tenure Status

Tenured (1%) Non-Tenure (5%) Other

Academic Ranks

Instructors & Lecturers 13
Other Instructional Staff 268

Understanding Faculty Composition

Riverside City College employs 281 instructional staff across a range of academic ranks. About 1% hold tenured positions, providing institutional stability and academic continuity.

How Successful Are Students at Riverside City College?

Student Retention Rates

70.0%
First-Time Full-Time
Good
45.0%
First-Time Part-Time
Needs Improvement

Retention Rate Comparison

First-Time Full-Time
70.0%

New full-time students returning for second year

First-Time Part-Time
45.0%

New part-time students returning for second year

Cohort Information

Cohort Year:2024 academic year

Student Success Analysis

Full-Time Success:70% retention rate shows moderate student engagement with room for improvement.

Retention Impact: Higher retention rates indicate student satisfaction, academic success, and effective institutional support systems.

A 70% retention rate at Riverside City College speaks to the quality of instruction and student support. Students who stay are students who succeed.

Where Do Online Students at Riverside City College Come From?

Geographic distribution of students enrolled exclusively in online courses (Fall 2024 census)

Exclusively Online
6,808
of 21,730 total (31.3%)
Some Online Courses
6,699
of 21,730 total (30.8%)

Where exclusively-online students are located

Same state (CA) 6,732 (98.9%)
Outside the US 13 (0.2%)
ℹ️

About this data: The geographic breakdown above uses IPEDS Fall Enrollment census data, which captures a single-day snapshot. The enrollment figures in the "How Do Students Learn?" section above use 12-month unduplicated headcount, which typically shows higher numbers as it covers the full academic year. Both are official IPEDS data — they measure different things.

99% of Riverside City College's exclusively online students are located in CA. The school primarily serves local online learners.

What Is the Academic Load at Riverside City College?

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Analysis

13,141
Total FTE
13,141
Undergraduate FTE

FTE Analysis

Study Intensity:60.5% FTE ratio indicates many students attend part-time

Academic Load: FTE represents the equivalent of full-time students based on credit hours, helping compare institutional capacity regardless of part-time enrollment.

The FTE figure at Riverside City College gives a standardized view of enrollment by accounting for both full-time and part-time students in a single metric.

How Intensively Do Students Study at Riverside City College?

Student Enrollment Intensity

The Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) ratio shows the average course load intensity. An FTE ratio of 1.0 means all students attend full-time, while lower values indicate more part-time enrollment.

60.5%
FTE Ratio
Intensity LevelModerate-Low

Significant part-time enrollment, ideal for working professionals and students with other responsibilities.

Undergraduate FTE
13,141
Total FTE
13,141
Headcount
21,730

FTE represents student enrollment adjusted for course load. Two half-time students equal 1 FTE.

FTE Ratio Scale

< 0.5
Low
0.5-0.65
Mod-Low
0.65-0.8
Moderate
0.8-0.95
High
≥ 0.95
Very High

Enrollment intensity at Riverside City College sits at 0.60 — a measure of how much of the student body is enrolled full-time versus part-time.

Academic Support & Resources

Academic Advising

Students have access to academic advisors who can help with course selection, degree planning, and career guidance. Contact the admissions office to learn about advising services.

Student Success Services

Many institutions offer tutoring, study groups, and academic success workshops. These resources help students develop study skills and overcome academic challenges.

For detailed information about academic support services, tutoring hours, and learning resources, contact Riverside City College directly at 95122280008979 or visit their website .

Key Academic Highlights

  • Student-to-faculty ratio of 26:1 supports personalized learning
  • 281 instructional staff with 1% holding tenured positions
  • Flexible scheduling options accommodate working students and adult learners
  • Online students primarily from CA (99% in-state)
  • Strong retention rates demonstrate student satisfaction and academic support

Ready to Learn More About Academics at Riverside City College?

Contact the admissions office to discuss academic programs, support services, and learning options.

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