UCI vs. CDU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Irvine in Irvine, CA with Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Irvine is larger than CDU based on total student enrollment (37,297 students vs. 852 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Irvine is located in Irvine, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science is in Los Angeles, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of California Irvine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Irvine 19:1; Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science 4:1.

UCI vs. CDU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCI or CDU? 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 CDU ($15,889 vs. $35,558).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Irvine are 42.6% lower than at Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science ($18,991 vs. $33,090).
• Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science is 46.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCI (about $7,278 more per year; $23,000.00 vs. $15,722.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 117.1% higher at UCI than at Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science (about $26,922 more per year; $49,922.00 vs. $23,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science than at University of California Irvine (100% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Irvine students is 440.5% larger than aid received by Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science students ($23,110 vs. $4,276).

UCI vs. CDU Admissions comparison

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

• Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 1230/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 26/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCI - Test-free; CDU - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCI Nov 30, 2026; CDU Jul 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCI students have a 0.49 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at CDU (3.26).
• CDU has a higher acceptance rate (38.7%) than UCI (28.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.2% at UCI vs. 3.5% at CDU.

UCI vs. CDU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCI and CDU? 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).

• Graduates from Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science earn a median of about $9,100 more per year than UCI graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,900 vs. $61,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Irvine graduates have a $4,319 lower median loan debt than CDU graduates ($17,000 vs. $21,319).
• Among borrowers, UCI graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CDU graduates ($175 vs. $220).
• More UCI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CDU students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 56%)

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.