University of California Irvine campus

credit : Ariane Middel | license

UCI Demographics & Diversity

  • 9/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Irvine, CA
  • 5.0 2 reviews
#11 Best Public Universities in America
Overview Admission Cost Majors Diversity Outcomes Salaries Location Compare Reviews Admission Calculator

Racial Demographics & Diversity

Racial Diversity

Racial Diversity

Very High

Racial Diversity Index: 74%

Racial diversity is the chance that two students chosen at random are from different racial or ethnic groups, using the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index. Students at UCI are predominantly Asian with a sizeable Hispanic population. The school has very high racial diversity. 85% percent of students are minorities or people of color (BIPOC). The ethnic breakdown is detailed in the following table.

The college is an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI) and is recognized for serving Asian Americans and Native American Pacific Islanders.

Racial demographics of University of California Irvine students
Race Percent of Students
White
15%
Black
2%
Hispanic
25%
Asian
37%
American Indian / Alaskan
0%
Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
0%
Two or more races
4%
International
16%
Race Unknown
1%

Gender Demographics & Diversity

Gender Diversity

Gender Diversity

Very High

Gender Diversity Index: 49%

There are 23% more female students than male students enrolled at University of California Irvine with a gender ratio of 55% women to 45% men. Compared to the US average of 56% female students, UCI has a higher gender diversity than other US colleges and is very inclusive of both genders.

Male to female gender ratio for University of California Irvine students
Gender Percent of Students
Men
45%
Women
55%
Enrollment by gender for University of California Irvine students
Gender Number of Students
Men
16,711
Women
20,586

Geographic Diversity

Geographic Diversity

Geographic Diversity

Very Low

Geographic Diversity Index: 26%

UCI draws 74 percent of students from California, 7 percent from other states, and 19 percent from other countries. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside California, including other U.S. states and other countries.

Enrollment by geographic location for University of California Irvine students
Origin Percent of Students
In State
74%
Out of State
7%
Foreign
19%
Unknown Location
0%

Economic Diversity

Median Household Income

Median Household Income

$78,085 per year

31% of students can be considered low-income as indicated by their receipt of Federal Pell Grant Aid.

Total Enrollment

Total Enrollment

Total enrollment

37,297
Share of undergraduates by age and part-time status
Segment Percent of Students
Students Over 25 Years Old 4.4%
Part-time undergraduates 1.6%

Other Colleges to Consider

Students applying to University of California Irvine often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=110653.

Racial and gender diversity ratings use the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index (Gini-Simpson): the probability that two students chosen at random belong to different groups. See the Census method note, Measuring Racial and Ethnic Diversity for the 2020 Census. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside the college's home state (other U.S. states plus international). IPEDS does not publish enrollment by individual state of residence.

Last updated: August 2026