UCI vs. San Jose State

Comparable Facts

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

San Jose State University is larger than UCI based on total student enrollment (37,661 students vs. 37,297 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Irvine is located in Irvine, CA (Rural Fringe setting); San Jose State University is in San Jose, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Irvine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. San Jose State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Irvine 19:1; San Jose State University 25:1.

UCI vs. San Jose State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCI or San Jose 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 San Jose State University than UCI ($13,892 vs. $15,889).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Irvine are 9.4% lower than at San Jose State University ($18,991 vs. $20,971).
• University of California Irvine is 86.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Jose State (about $7,312 more per year; $15,722.00 vs. $8,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 137.6% higher at UCI than at San Jose State University (about $28,912 more per year; $49,922.00 vs. $21,010.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Jose State University than at University of California Irvine (63% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Irvine students is 87.1% larger than aid received by San Jose State University students ($23,110 vs. $12,353).

UCI vs. San Jose State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCI or San Jose 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 San Jose State and UCI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Irvine (1330) is 200 points higher than at San Jose State (1130).
• Incoming UCI students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 22 at San Jose State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 1230/1430; San Jose State University 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 26/33; San Jose State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCI - Test-free; San Jose State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCI Nov 30, 2026; San Jose State Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCI students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at San Jose State (3.35).
• San Jose State has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than UCI (28.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.2% at UCI vs. 14.7% at San Jose State.

UCI vs. San Jose State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCI and San Jose 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 San Jose State University's (46%).
• Graduates from University of California Irvine earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than San Jose State graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,800 vs. $59,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Jose State University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than UCI graduates ($15,000 vs. $17,000).
• Among borrowers, San Jose State graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCI graduates ($155 vs. $175).
• More UCI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Jose State students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 73%)

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.