UCI vs. Florida State

Comparable Facts

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

Florida State University is larger than UCI based on total student enrollment (43,889 students vs. 37,297 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Irvine is located in Irvine, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Florida State University is in Tallahassee, FL (Midsize City setting).
• University of California Irvine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Florida State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Irvine 19:1; Florida State University 17:1.

UCI vs. Florida State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCI or Florida State? 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 Florida State University than UCI ($15,815 vs. $15,889).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida State University are 29.1% lower than at University of California Irvine ($13,474 vs. $18,991).
• University of California Irvine is 178% more expensive for in-state tuition than Florida State (about $10,066 more per year; $15,722.00 vs. $5,656.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 165.7% higher at UCI than at Florida State University (about $31,136 more per year; $49,922.00 vs. $18,786.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida State University than at University of California Irvine (91% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Irvine students is 149.1% larger than aid received by Florida State University students ($23,110 vs. $9,279).

UCI vs. Florida State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida State University (1340) is 10 points higher than at UCI (1330).
• Incoming Florida State 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; Florida State University 1270/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 26/33; Florida State University 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCI - Test-free; Florida State - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCI Nov 30, 2026; Florida State Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCI students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Florida State (3.7).
• UCI has a higher acceptance rate (28.6%) than Florida State (24.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.2% at UCI vs. 30.9% at Florida State.

UCI vs. Florida State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCI and Florida State? 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 Florida State University's (74%).
• Graduates from University of California Irvine earn a median of about $10,400 more per year than Florida State graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,800 vs. $51,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Irvine graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Florida State graduates ($17,000 vs. $20,750).
• Among borrowers, UCI graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Florida State graduates ($175 vs. $214).
• More UCI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Florida State students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 63%)

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.