Alabama vs. UCI

Comparable Facts

Compare The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL with University of California Irvine in Irvine, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Alabama is larger than UCI based on total student enrollment (40,846 students vs. 37,297 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Alabama is located in Tuscaloosa, AL (Small City setting); University of California Irvine is in Irvine, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• The University of Alabama is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Irvine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Alabama 19:1; University of California Irvine 19:1.

Alabama vs. UCI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alabama 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 Alabama ($15,889 vs. $22,559).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Alabama are 20.9% lower than at University of California Irvine ($15,016 vs. $18,991).
• University of California Irvine is 29.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Alabama (about $3,542 more per year; $15,722.00 vs. $12,180.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46.1% higher at UCI than at The University of Alabama (about $15,750 more per year; $49,922.00 vs. $34,172.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Alabama than at University of California Irvine (80% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Irvine students is 32% larger than aid received by The University of Alabama students ($23,110 vs. $17,503).

Alabama vs. UCI Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alabama 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 Alabama.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Irvine (1330) is 40 points higher than at Alabama (1290).
• Incoming UCI students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 27 at Alabama).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Alabama 1170/1400; University of California Irvine 1230/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Alabama 24/31; University of California Irvine 26/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alabama - Test optional; UCI - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Alabama May 1, 2027; UCI Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Alabama students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at UCI (3.75).
• Alabama has a higher acceptance rate (76.6%) than UCI (28.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.5% at Alabama vs. 19.2% at UCI.

Alabama vs. UCI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alabama 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 The University of Alabama's (66%).
• Graduates from University of California Irvine earn a median of about $11,900 more per year than Alabama graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,800 vs. $49,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Irvine graduates have a $6,750 lower median loan debt than Alabama graduates ($17,000 vs. $23,750).
• Among borrowers, UCI graduates have an estimated $70 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alabama graduates ($175 vs. $245).
• More UCI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alabama students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 59%)

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.