UCI vs. Clemson

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Irvine is larger than Clemson based on total student enrollment (37,297 students vs. 29,077 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Irvine is located in Irvine, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Clemson University is in Clemson, SC (Distant Town setting).
• University of California Irvine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Clemson University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Irvine 19:1; Clemson University 16:1.

UCI vs. Clemson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCI or Clemson? 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 Clemson ($15,889 vs. $25,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clemson University are 30.1% lower than at University of California Irvine ($13,284 vs. $18,991).
• University of California Irvine is 1.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Clemson (about $168 more per year; $15,722.00 vs. $15,554.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.2% higher at UCI than at Clemson University (about $9,056 more per year; $49,922.00 vs. $40,866.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clemson University than at University of California Irvine (75% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Irvine students is 102.9% larger than aid received by Clemson University students ($23,110 vs. $11,389).

UCI vs. Clemson Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Irvine (1330) is the same as at Clemson (1330).
• Incoming Clemson students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 29 at UCI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 1230/1430; Clemson University 1240/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 26/33; Clemson University 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCI - Test-free; Clemson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCI Nov 30, 2026; Clemson May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCI students have the same average high school GPA (3.75) as students at Clemson (3.75).
• Clemson has a higher acceptance rate (38.3%) than UCI (28.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.2% at UCI vs. 20.7% at Clemson.

UCI vs. Clemson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCI and Clemson? 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 Clemson University's (80%).
• Graduates from University of California Irvine earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than Clemson graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,800 vs. $57,100), 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 Clemson graduates ($17,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, UCI graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clemson graduates ($175 vs. $222).
• More Clemson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCI students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 76%)

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.