UCI vs. DUofC

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Irvine is larger than DUofC based on total student enrollment (37,297 students vs. 1,900 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Irvine is located in Irvine, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Dominican University of California is in San Rafael, CA (Small City setting).
• University of California Irvine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Dominican University of California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Irvine 19:1; Dominican University of California 8:1.

UCI vs. DUofC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCI or DUofC? 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 DUofC ($15,889 vs. $37,456).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dominican University of California are 14.7% lower than at University of California Irvine ($16,191 vs. $18,991).
• Dominican University of California is 231.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCI (about $36,439 more per year; $52,161.00 vs. $15,722.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.5% higher at DUofC than at University of California Irvine (about $2,239 more per year; $52,161.00 vs. $49,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dominican University of California than at University of California Irvine (100% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dominican University of California students is 48.1% larger than aid received by University of California Irvine students ($34,224 vs. $23,110).

UCI vs. DUofC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Irvine (1330) is 70 points higher than at DUofC (1260).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 1230/1430; Dominican University of California 1210/1300.
• 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; DUofC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCI Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCI students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at DUofC (3.66).
• DUofC has a higher acceptance rate (83.5%) than UCI (28.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.2% at UCI vs. 12.7% at DUofC.

UCI vs. DUofC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCI and DUofC? 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 Dominican University of California's (56%).
• Graduates from University of California Irvine earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than DUofC graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,800 vs. $58,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Irvine graduates have a $10,000 lower median loan debt than DUofC graduates ($17,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UCI graduates have an estimated $104 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than DUofC graduates ($175 vs. $279).
• More UCI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DUofC students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 71%)

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.