UCI vs. SCU

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Irvine is larger than SCU based on total student enrollment (37,297 students vs. 9,728 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Irvine is located in Irvine, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Santa Clara University is in Santa Clara, CA (Midsize City setting).
• University of California Irvine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Santa Clara University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Irvine 19:1; Santa Clara University 11:1.

UCI vs. SCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCI or SCU? 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 SCU ($15,889 vs. $53,883).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Irvine are 4.5% lower than at Santa Clara University ($18,991 vs. $19,893).
• Santa Clara University is 289.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCI (about $45,571 more per year; $61,293.00 vs. $15,722.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.8% higher at SCU than at University of California Irvine (about $11,371 more per year; $61,293.00 vs. $49,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Santa Clara University than at University of California Irvine (71% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Santa Clara University students is 22.8% larger than aid received by University of California Irvine students ($28,368 vs. $23,110).

UCI vs. SCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Santa Clara University (1420) is 90 points higher than at UCI (1330).
• Incoming SCU 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; Santa Clara University 1350/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 26/33; Santa Clara University 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCI - Test-free; SCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCI Nov 30, 2026; SCU Jan 7, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCI students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at SCU (3.67).
• SCU has a higher acceptance rate (48%) than UCI (28.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.2% at UCI vs. 17.7% at SCU.

UCI vs. SCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCI and SCU? 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).

• The graduation rate at UCI is the same as at Santa Clara University (85% vs. 85%).
• Graduates from Santa Clara University earn a median of about $20,100 more per year than UCI graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,900 vs. $61,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Irvine graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than SCU graduates ($17,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, UCI graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCU graduates ($175 vs. $222).
• More SCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCI students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.