ASU vs. UCI

Comparable Facts

Compare Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ with University of California Irvine in Irvine, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Arizona State University is larger than UCI based on total student enrollment (79,818 students vs. 37,297 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arizona State University is located in Tempe, AZ (Midsize City setting); University of California Irvine is in Irvine, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Arizona State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Irvine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Arizona State University 18:1; University of California Irvine 19:1.

ASU vs. UCI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ASU or UCI? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of California Irvine than ASU ($15,889 vs. $17,779).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Arizona State University are 12% lower than at University of California Irvine ($16,712 vs. $18,991).
• University of California Irvine is 28.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than ASU (about $3,499 more per year; $15,722.00 vs. $12,223.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.6% higher at UCI than at Arizona State University (about $16,783 more per year; $49,922.00 vs. $33,139.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Arizona State University than at University of California Irvine (89% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Irvine students is 89.9% larger than aid received by Arizona State University students ($23,110 vs. $12,172).

ASU vs. UCI Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ASU or UCI? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UCI and ASU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Irvine (1330) is 120 points higher than at ASU (1210).
• Incoming UCI students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 24 at ASU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arizona State University 1100/1320; University of California Irvine 1230/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arizona State University 21/28; University of California Irvine 26/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ASU - Test optional; UCI - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCI Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCI students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at ASU (3.54).
• ASU has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than UCI (28.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.1% at ASU vs. 19.2% at UCI.

ASU vs. UCI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ASU and UCI? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of California Irvine's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Arizona State University's (57%).
• Graduates from University of California Irvine earn a median of about $9,200 more per year than ASU graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,800 vs. $52,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Irvine graduates have a $3,278 lower median loan debt than ASU graduates ($17,000 vs. $20,278).
• Among borrowers, UCI graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ASU graduates ($175 vs. $209).
• More UCI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ASU students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 57%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.