UCI vs. Loyola Marymount

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Irvine is larger than Loyola Marymount based on total student enrollment (37,297 students vs. 10,179 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Irvine is located in Irvine, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Loyola Marymount University is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Irvine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Loyola Marymount University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Irvine 19:1; Loyola Marymount University 10:1.

UCI vs. Loyola Marymount Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCI or Loyola Marymount? 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 Loyola Marymount ($15,889 vs. $59,926).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Irvine are 13.8% lower than at Loyola Marymount University ($18,991 vs. $22,026).
• Loyola Marymount University is 296.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCI (about $46,635 more per year; $62,357.00 vs. $15,722.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.9% higher at Loyola Marymount than at University of California Irvine (about $12,435 more per year; $62,357.00 vs. $49,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Loyola Marymount University than at University of California Irvine (100% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Loyola Marymount University students is 5.2% larger than aid received by University of California Irvine students ($24,318 vs. $23,110).

UCI vs. Loyola Marymount Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Loyola Marymount University (1350) is 20 points higher than at UCI (1330).
• Incoming Loyola Marymount 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; Loyola Marymount University 1260/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 26/33; Loyola Marymount University 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCI - Test-free; Loyola Marymount - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCI Nov 30, 2026; Loyola Marymount Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Loyola Marymount students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at UCI (3.75).
• Loyola Marymount has a higher acceptance rate (45.1%) than UCI (28.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.2% at UCI vs. 14.8% at Loyola Marymount.

UCI vs. Loyola Marymount Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCI and Loyola Marymount? 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 Loyola Marymount University's (77%).
• Graduates from Loyola Marymount University earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than UCI graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,700 vs. $61,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Irvine graduates have a $4,668 lower median loan debt than Loyola Marymount graduates ($17,000 vs. $21,668).
• Among borrowers, UCI graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Loyola Marymount graduates ($175 vs. $224).
• More Loyola Marymount graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCI students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.