UCI vs. HIU

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Irvine is larger than HIU based on total student enrollment (37,297 students vs. 1,025 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UCI vs. HIU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCI or HIU? 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 HIU ($15,889 vs. $29,896).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hope International University are 31.8% lower than at University of California Irvine ($12,950 vs. $18,991).
• Hope International University is 142% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCI (about $22,328 more per year; $38,050.00 vs. $15,722.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.2% higher at UCI than at Hope International University (about $11,872 more per year; $49,922.00 vs. $38,050.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hope International University than at University of California Irvine (100% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Irvine students is 2.8% larger than aid received by Hope International University students ($23,110 vs. $22,474).

UCI vs. HIU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Irvine (1330) is 300 points higher than at HIU (1030).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 1230/1430; Hope International University 840/1220.
• 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; HIU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCI Nov 30, 2026; HIU Aug 20, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCI students have a 0.49 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at HIU (3.26).
• HIU has a higher acceptance rate (33%) than UCI (28.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.2% at UCI vs. 38.4% at HIU.

UCI vs. HIU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCI and HIU? 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 Hope International University's (32%).
• Graduates from University of California Irvine earn a median of about $22,100 more per year than HIU graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,800 vs. $39,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Irvine graduates have a $9,000 lower median loan debt than HIU graduates ($17,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, UCI graduates have an estimated $93 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than HIU graduates ($175 vs. $268).
• More UCI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former HIU students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 58%)

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.