University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. UCI

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Alabama at Birmingham in Birmingham, AL 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 University of Alabama at Birmingham based on total student enrollment (37,297 students vs. 20,905 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. UCI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Alabama at Birmingham 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 University of Alabama at Birmingham ($15,889 vs. $17,997).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Alabama at Birmingham are 25.4% lower than at University of California Irvine ($14,170 vs. $18,991).
• University of California Irvine is 72.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Alabama at Birmingham (about $6,624 more per year; $15,722.00 vs. $9,098.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 121.3% higher at UCI than at University of Alabama at Birmingham (about $27,360 more per year; $49,922.00 vs. $22,562.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Alabama at Birmingham than at University of California Irvine (90% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Irvine students is 109.6% larger than aid received by University of Alabama at Birmingham students ($23,110 vs. $11,025).

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. UCI Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Alabama at Birmingham 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 University of Alabama at Birmingham.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Alabama at Birmingham (1330) is the same as at UCI (1330).
• Incoming UCI students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 26 at University of Alabama at Birmingham).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Alabama at Birmingham 1210/1450; University of California Irvine 1230/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Alabama at Birmingham 23/30; University of California Irvine 26/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Alabama at Birmingham - Test optional; UCI - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Alabama at Birmingham Jun 1, 2027; UCI Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman University of Alabama at Birmingham students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at UCI (3.75).
• University of Alabama at Birmingham has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than UCI (28.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.1% at University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. 19.2% at UCI.

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. UCI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Alabama at Birmingham 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 University of Alabama at Birmingham's (45%).
• Graduates from University of California Irvine earn a median of about $15,400 more per year than University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,800 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Irvine graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates ($17,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, UCI graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates ($175 vs. $222).
• More UCI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Alabama at Birmingham students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 52%)

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.