UCI vs. Oxy

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Irvine is larger than Oxy based on total student enrollment (37,297 students vs. 1,881 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Irvine is located in Irvine, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Occidental College is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Irvine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Occidental College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Irvine 19:1; Occidental College 9:1.

UCI vs. Oxy Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCI or Oxy? 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 Oxy ($15,889 vs. $48,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Irvine are 1.4% lower than at Occidental College ($18,991 vs. $19,252).
• Occidental College is 321.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCI (about $50,552 more per year; $66,274.00 vs. $15,722.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.8% higher at Oxy than at University of California Irvine (about $16,352 more per year; $66,274.00 vs. $49,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Occidental College than at University of California Irvine (75% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Occidental College students is 57.5% larger than aid received by University of California Irvine students ($36,400 vs. $23,110).

UCI vs. Oxy Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Occidental College (1450) is 120 points higher than at UCI (1330).
• Incoming Oxy students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 29 at UCI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 1230/1430; Occidental College 1380/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 26/33; Occidental College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCI - Test-free; Oxy - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCI Nov 30, 2026; Oxy Jan 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCI students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Oxy (3.63).
• Oxy has a higher acceptance rate (44.2%) than UCI (28.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.2% at UCI vs. 17.8% at Oxy.

UCI vs. Oxy Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCI and Oxy? 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 Occidental College's (83%).
• Graduates from University of California Irvine earn a median of about $5,200 more per year than Oxy graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,800 vs. $56,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Irvine graduates have a $6,652 lower median loan debt than Oxy graduates ($17,000 vs. $23,652).
• Among borrowers, UCI graduates have an estimated $69 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oxy graduates ($175 vs. $244).
• More Oxy graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCI students, three years after graduation. (87% 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.