Biola University vs. UCI

Comparable Facts

Compare Biola University in La Mirada, CA with University of California Irvine in Irvine, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Irvine is larger than Biola University based on total student enrollment (37,297 students vs. 5,434 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Biola University is located in La Mirada, CA (Large Suburban setting); University of California Irvine is in Irvine, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Biola University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Irvine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Biola University 15:1; University of California Irvine 19:1.

Biola University vs. UCI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Biola University 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 Biola University ($15,889 vs. $34,082).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Biola University are 30.9% lower than at University of California Irvine ($13,130 vs. $18,991).
• Biola University is 211.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCI (about $33,262 more per year; $48,984.00 vs. $15,722.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.9% higher at UCI than at Biola University (about $938 more per year; $49,922.00 vs. $48,984.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Biola University than at University of California Irvine (99% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Biola University students is 24.7% larger than aid received by University of California Irvine students ($28,817 vs. $23,110).

Biola University vs. UCI Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Biola University 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 Biola University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Irvine (1330) is 60 points higher than at Biola University (1270).
• Incoming UCI students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 26 at Biola University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Biola University 1160/1370; University of California Irvine 1230/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Biola University 24/29; University of California Irvine 26/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Biola University - Test optional; UCI - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCI Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCI students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Biola University (3.61).
• Biola University has a higher acceptance rate (74.3%) than UCI (28.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.7% at Biola University vs. 19.2% at UCI.

Biola University vs. UCI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Biola University 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 Biola University's (71%).
• Graduates from University of California Irvine earn a median of about $12,900 more per year than Biola University graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,800 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Irvine graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than Biola University graduates ($17,000 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, UCI graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Biola University graduates ($175 vs. $253).
• More UCI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Biola University students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 75%)

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.