UCI vs. Chapman

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Irvine is larger than Chapman based on total student enrollment (37,297 students vs. 9,760 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Irvine is located in Irvine, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Chapman University is in Orange, CA (Midsize City setting).
• University of California Irvine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Chapman University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Irvine 19:1; Chapman University 12:1.

UCI vs. Chapman Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCI or Chapman? 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 Chapman ($15,889 vs. $47,902).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chapman University are 6.2% lower than at University of California Irvine ($17,814 vs. $18,991).
• Chapman University is 313.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCI (about $49,262 more per year; $64,984.00 vs. $15,722.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.2% higher at Chapman than at University of California Irvine (about $15,062 more per year; $64,984.00 vs. $49,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chapman University than at University of California Irvine (88% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chapman University students is 53.3% larger than aid received by University of California Irvine students ($35,434 vs. $23,110).

UCI vs. Chapman Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCI or Chapman? 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 Chapman and UCI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Chapman University (1350) is 20 points higher than at UCI (1330).
• Incoming UCI students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 29) as students at Chapman (29).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 1230/1430; Chapman University 1260/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 26/33; Chapman University 28/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCI - Test-free; Chapman - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCI Nov 30, 2026; Chapman Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCI students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Chapman (3.7).
• Chapman has a higher acceptance rate (65.4%) than UCI (28.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.2% at UCI vs. 15.9% at Chapman.

UCI vs. Chapman Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCI and Chapman? 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 Chapman University's (72%).
• Graduates from University of California Irvine earn a median of about $7,700 more per year than Chapman graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,800 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Irvine graduates have a $3,938 lower median loan debt than Chapman graduates ($17,000 vs. $20,938).
• Among borrowers, UCI graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Chapman graduates ($175 vs. $216).
• More UCI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Chapman students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 65%)

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.