UCI vs. Concordia University-Irvine

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Irvine is larger than Concordia University-Irvine based on total student enrollment (37,297 students vs. 3,658 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Irvine is located in Irvine, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Concordia University Irvine is in Irvine, CA (Midsize City setting).
• University of California Irvine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Concordia University Irvine is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Irvine 19:1; Concordia University Irvine 13:1.

UCI vs. Concordia University-Irvine Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCI or Concordia University-Irvine? 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 Concordia University-Irvine ($15,889 vs. $29,845).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Concordia University Irvine are 24.9% lower than at University of California Irvine ($14,270 vs. $18,991).
• Concordia University Irvine is 176.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCI (about $27,758 more per year; $43,480.00 vs. $15,722.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.8% higher at UCI than at Concordia University Irvine (about $6,442 more per year; $49,922.00 vs. $43,480.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Concordia University Irvine than at University of California Irvine (100% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Concordia University Irvine students is 25.3% larger than aid received by University of California Irvine students ($28,966 vs. $23,110).

UCI vs. Concordia University-Irvine Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCI or Concordia University-Irvine? 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 Concordia University-Irvine and UCI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Irvine (1330) is 180 points higher than at Concordia University-Irvine (1150).
• Incoming UCI students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 25 at Concordia University-Irvine).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 1230/1430; Concordia University Irvine 1030/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 26/33; Concordia University Irvine 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCI - Test-free; Concordia University-Irvine - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCI Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCI students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Concordia University-Irvine (3.61).
• Concordia University-Irvine has a higher acceptance rate (66%) than UCI (28.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.2% at UCI vs. 11.6% at Concordia University-Irvine.

UCI vs. Concordia University-Irvine Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCI and Concordia University-Irvine? 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 Concordia University Irvine's (51%).
• Graduates from University of California Irvine earn a median of about $13,500 more per year than Concordia University-Irvine graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,800 vs. $48,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Irvine graduates have a $5,678 lower median loan debt than Concordia University-Irvine graduates ($17,000 vs. $22,678).
• Among borrowers, UCI graduates have an estimated $59 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Concordia University-Irvine graduates ($175 vs. $234).
• More UCI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Concordia University-Irvine students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 70%)

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.